BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 4. The Asian
Development Bank (ADB) is stepping up its support for regional
cooperation programs, including the Central Asia Regional Economic
Cooperation (CAREC) Program, as part of a new strategy aimed at
increasing the share of its operations supporting cross-border
initiatives to 30% by 2030.


According to ADB, the new Operational Approach for Revitalizing
Regional Cooperation and Integration, approved in March, seeks to
expand cross-border trade and investment, strengthen economic
resilience and address shared environmental challenges.


Under the approach, ADB will prioritize cross-border transport,
energy and digital connectivity, trade facilitation, natural
resource protection and disaster preparedness.


In Central Asia, the bank supports efforts to modernize border
crossing points and simplify trade procedures across the CAREC
region, helping improve transport links and facilitate the movement
of goods between countries.


ADB President Masato Kanda said regional cooperation was
becoming increasingly important amid rising trade barriers and
geopolitical tensions.


"We must double down on cooperation, even now, when it is
becoming harder," he said at the opening of the Regional
Cooperation and Integration Conference in Manila.


The new strategy also envisages changes to the way ADB develops
and finances regional projects, making it easier for teams to work
across member countries and bringing governments and private
investors together to turn regional plans into concrete
investments.







CAREC is among the bank's established regional cooperation
platforms, alongside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), the Pacific Islands Forum, the Greater Mekong Subregion
and South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation.


These partnerships support cross-border trade, transport and
energy links, as well as joint efforts to address challenges that
extend beyond national borders.


ADB's regional agenda also includes support for the ASEAN Power
Grid, with the bank committing up to $10 billion to improve
electricity connectivity and energy security across Southeast
Asia.


The new approach further provides for expanded cooperation on
digital infrastructure and services, including cross-border data
networks and payment systems, as well as joint management of water
resources, ecosystem protection and disaster risk preparedness.


The Asian Development Bank is a multilateral development bank
supporting sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth across Asia
and the Pacific. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members,
including 50 from the region.