In Milan from 4 to 7 May

The strategic role of the Asian development bank in Italy's Asia-Pacific agenda

Milan hosts the 58th Adb meeting: focus on economic growth, cooperation and sustainable projects in the Asia-Pacific region

by Angelica Migliorisi

4 May 2025

Il ruolo strategico dell’Asian development bank nell’agenda italiana per l’Asia-Pacifico (Alamy Stock Photo)

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

From 4 to 7 May, Milan will host the 58th annual meeting of the Asian development bank (Adb) for the first time at the Allianz MiCo-Milano convention centre.

The event will be attended by ministers from the 69 Adb member countries, senior officials from international organisations, representatives of multilateral development banks, and leaders from the private sector and civil society.

Among the Italia participants were the Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti and the Governor of the Bank of Italy Fabio Panetta.

Thematic sessions will address crucial topics such as digital transformation, the energy revolution, innovation for resilience and the transformation of food systems.

What is the Asian development bank?

Founded on 19 December 1966, the Asian development bank is a multilateral development bank with headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines.

It currently has 69 members, of which 50 are from the Asia-Pacific region. The non-regional members include Italia,

The ADB was created to promote economic growth and cooperation in the region by providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries.

Mission and Objectives

The Adb is committed to rreducing poverty and improving the quality of life in member countries, ppromote inclusive and sustainable economic development, fprovide technical and financial assistance for development projects and fencourage regional integration and cooperation among member countries.

Structure and Financing

The ABG is governed by a Board of Governors, consisting of representatives from each member country, and a Board of Directors that oversees day-to-day operations.

Financing comes from members' contributions, bond issues on international markets and investment income.

Main Activities

Adb provides ploans and capital investments for development projects, atechnical assistance for the design and implementation of policies and programmes, ssupport for investment promotion and private sector development, ffunding for infrastructure, education, health and environmental projects.

Climate Commitment

The ADB has set itself the goal of mobilising USD 100 billion by 2030 to finance climate-related projects in the Asia-Pacific region.

Through initiatives such as the Innovative finance facility for climate in Asia and the Pacific (If-Cap), it aims to engage the private sector and provide guarantees to attract further investment in sustainable projects.

Why the annual meeting is held in Milan

The choice of Milan as the venue for the 58th meeting of the Adb is not only symbolic, but reflects a precise political and economic strategy of Italia.

Hosting this summit for the first time represents a concrete opportunity to strengthen the Italian presence in the Indo-Pacific region, a crucial area for the new geographies of global growth.

Italia aims to play a more active role in Asian development processes, strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with strategic countries such as India, Japan, Vietnam and Bangladesh.