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Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said the world is facing more than a security crisis, describing it as a “stern test of the global order.” The ADB’s 59th Annual Meeting of the Governing Council will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from May 3 to 6, as the global economy and geopolitics confront pivotal challenges.
ADB communications director Bernard Leigh Woods said regional tensions in the Middle East pose the biggest risk to the region’s growth prospects. He noted that these tensions are pushing energy prices higher, disrupting trade routes, and tightening global financial conditions.
Woods also highlighted a specific vulnerability: disruption in fertilizer production, which he said threatens regional food security and consumer prices.
Speaking at a May 3 press conference, Kanda reaffirmed that the situation is not only a security crisis but a severe test of the world order. He said nations remain vulnerable to shocks along strategic corridors and pointed to the costs of over-reliance, which he said can accelerate the shift from economic efficiency toward resilient, sustainable development.
The conference will focus on three core pillars to build long-term resilience:
Woods said the choice of Samarkand as the host city is symbolic. He described it as a historic crossroads on the Silk Road, fitting for leaders to discuss solutions to international tensions and a stronger, more connected future.
The ADB Annual Meeting is presented as a key platform for discussing macroeconomic development in Asia-Pacific and for reaffirming ADB’s commitment to provide rapid, flexible financial assistance to member countries.
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