Assistant Secretary for International Trade and Development Alexia Latortue on the Asian Development Bank Annual Meetings and Asian Development Fund Replenishment

WASHINGTON - The United States applauds the productive Annual Meetings of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and welcomes the successful replenishment of the Asian Development Fund (ADF-14) and the Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF-8). The ADF supports the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific—including small island developing states in the Pacific—as well as the people of Afghanistan and Myanmar. With a pledge of $174.4 million, subject to Congressional authorization and appropriation, the United States is proud to be the third largest donor to ADF-14 and commends all donors and ADB Management for their strong support toward this historic $5 billion replenishment.As countries grapple with the accelerating impacts of climate change, high debt burdens, and geopolitical turmoil in the region and globally, ADF-14 will provide the critical support necessary to maintain hard-won development gains and continue to accelerate economic development.