ADB President Urges Greater Investment in Science, Energy, and Digital Infrastructure

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda called for increased investment in scientific research and supporting infrastructure during the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto, Japan, on Sunday.

Speaking at a plenary discussion with scientists and industry leaders, Kanda highlighted the role of science and technology in addressing geopolitical uncertainty, resource competition, rapid technological shifts, and growing energy demand. According to the ADB, electricity demand in Asia and the Pacific is surging, driven in part by data centers and advanced computing required for artificial intelligence (AI).

While technological advancements have reduced the cost of solar and wind generation by 80% to 90% over the last decade, Kanda noted that bottlenecks persist in transmission networks, storage, and critical minerals. In response, ADB stated it is supporting critical mineral supply chains—from exploration and processing to recycling—alongside major infrastructure initiatives.

Kanda pointed to the bank's $50 billion Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, which aims to finance regional power systems and cross-border connections to transfer electricity to high-demand areas. He also cited the $20 billion Asia-Pacific Digital Highway initiative, designed to improve digital connectivity and AI-ready skills, with the goal of expanding economic opportunities for remote communities and people with disabilities.

Alongside calls to harness frontier technology, Kanda cautioned against the risks of rapidly advancing AI, advocating for strong human control to protect public well-being. He additionally emphasized the necessity of sustained funding for fundamental scientific research, public trust, and open engagement between institutions and society.

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