The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Azusa Sato as Regional Director of its Pacific Subregional Office, based in Suva, Fiji.
Sato will continue to develop ADB’s strong client relationships and manage seven offices in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. She will lead engagement with member countries and partners and oversee the implementation of ADB’s country partnership strategy for Fiji, as well as ongoing work guided by ADB’s Pacific Approach for other countries. She will also contribute to the development of ADB’s new Pacific Approach 2026–2030.
“I’m tremendously excited and honoured to be a part of ADB’s energetic and dynamic Pacific team serving the region. Together, we will work with clients to improve the quality of life of Pacific Islanders,” said Sato. “I am particularly keen to implement innovative solutions and lead strategic dialogue in line with ADB’s priorities, while recognising the Pacific’s unique vulnerabilities. The unwavering and invaluable contributions of development partners will also be strongly recognised.”
Sato has over 17 years of professional experience, including 10 years at ADB. Prior to her new appointment, she served as Senior Advisor to the ADB President, where she advised on strategic corporate priorities and participated in high-level policy dialogues with Pacific Heads of State on domestic and regional challenges.
Sato joined ADB in 2016 as a Health Specialist in the Southeast Asia Department. In 2019, she moved to ADB’s Indonesia Resident Mission as a Social Sector Specialist and was promoted to Senior Social Sector Specialist in 2021.
A national of the United Kingdom, Ms. Sato holds a doctorate in health policy and a master’s in population and development from the London School of Economics. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cambridge University.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard the planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
