The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new five-year strategy aimed at strengthening economic resilience, improving infrastructure and expanding development opportunities in 12 Pacific island countries, including Vanuatu.
The Pacific Approach, 2026–2030, will guide ADB’s partnerships with 12 countries across the region as they face challenges linked to climate-related disasters, high service delivery costs and limited institutional capacity.
The strategy introduces a more flexible approach to development projects, recognising that Pacific island countries have different needs and require solutions suited to their individual circumstances.
ADB Director General for the Pacific Emma Veve says development challenges across the region cannot be addressed through a one-size-fits-all approach.
She says the bank will adapt its operations to the needs of smaller and geographically dispersed Pacific economies, while focusing resources where they can deliver sustained benefits.
The strategy identifies three key priorities: expanding economic opportunities, supporting thriving communities and delivering sustainable infrastructure.
Under economic development, ADB will focus on improving public resource management, strengthening regional and international trade, encouraging private sector investment and supporting job creation.
For communities, the bank aims to improve access to essential services, including health and education, while strengthening social protection and helping vulnerable households recover from economic and climate-related shocks.
The infrastructure priority includes expanding access to clean energy, improving transport connections and developing resilient urban services such as water supply, waste management and urban roads.
ADB will also place greater emphasis on preparing and implementing projects effectively, strengthening local institutions, developing workforce skills and ensuring infrastructure can be maintained over the long term.
At the end of 2025, ADB’s active portfolio across the 12 Pacific countries had reached 1.9 billion US dollars, covering 80 projects. This compares with 454 million US dollars across 35 projects at the end of 2015.
The bank says the new strategy will build on partnerships with Pacific governments and development partners to mobilise expertise and resources for locally identified development priorities.
For Vanuatu, the strategy provides a regional framework for cooperation with ADB on economic opportunities, essential services, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure over the next five years.
The Pacific Approach will run from 2026 to 2030.
