ADB and the Government of Japan created the Water Initiative for Security, Efficiency and Resilience (WISER) Fund. The fund will help ADB developing member countries strengthen water systems, reduce disaster risks, improve water-use efficiency, and apply digital and innovative solutions to water challenges.

ADB Ventures has launched the Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to help promising startups scale solutions to complex development challenges in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

ADB has appointed Wempi Saputra as Vice-President for Sectors and Themes for a 3-year term.

Mr. Saputra will succeed Vice-President Fatima Yasmin and is expected to assume office in September 2026. As Vice-President for Sectors and Themes, Mr. Saputra will oversee ADB's Sectors Departments, the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, and the Office of Business Intelligence and Operations Coordination.

In southern Tajikistan, ADB and the Government of Japan are helping transform lives through better water management and irrigation. The project is improving water efficiency, increasing agricultural production, and enabling farmers to grow more crops and achieve harvests up to 50% higher.

Explore the latest assessment of water security in Asia and the Pacific. 

Covering 50 economies, this publication provides the evidence and analysis needed to guide investments, planning, and policymaking.