Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on 20 February officially opened ADB’s expanded Pacific Subregional Office in Suva. The inauguration followed talks earlier in the day between the two leaders on advancing ADB’s support for Fiji’s inclusive economic growth and reinforcing Fiji’s role as a regional hub for Pacific cooperation.
“These new premises are a clear signal of our ambition,” said Mr. Kanda. “We are moving faster and thinking bigger. With our upgraded presence in Suva, the geographic heart of the Pacific, we will help advance regional cooperation and integration to tackle shared challenges and build a resilient and prosperous Pacific.”
Reflecting ADB’s commitment to localised support, the newly expanded office accommodates a team that has grown significantly over the past five years, more than doubling to around 70 personnel. This expansion allows ADB to provide deeper technical expertise on the ground and stronger support for its operations across the seven Pacific countries served by the Suva hub: the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
During their bilateral meeting, Mr. Kanda and Mr. Rabuka highlighted the rapid increase in ADB’s development financing for Fiji. ADB has committed $1.3 billion to the country since 1972, with $675 million of that total committed since 2020. This accelerated funding reflects Fiji’s greater access to concessional loans and grants, supporting key reforms for private sector development alongside significant investments in critical infrastructure such as transport, water, and urban services. The leaders also discussed Fiji’s central role in convening dialogue and promoting collective action among Pacific island countries.
Further reinforcing the focus on economic resilience, Mr. Kanda met with the Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development and ADB Governor, Esrom Immanuel. They reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to bolstering private sector development and advancing public–private partnerships in priority areas. Their discussions touched on ongoing collaboration to develop a national digital ID system, a cornerstone of Fiji’s digital transformation that will improve access to essential services and banking.
Following these high-level meetings, Mr. Kanda attended a showcase by Kahuto Pacific, a local aerial mapping firm supported by the ADB Frontier program. The company is building the Moana Data Service, the region’s first locally led geospatial data platform, which will provide Pacific island countries with direct access to high-resolution aerial imagery to support climate resilience, infrastructure planning, and disaster risk reduction.
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 our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
