Kyoto: Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has issued a call for collaborative efforts to integrate science, policy, and finance in advancing the delivery of clean energy across Asia and the Pacific.

According to Emirates News Agency, Kanda addressed the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum, highlighting ADB’s current efforts to review its Energy Policy. This review aims to align better with the energy needs of its developing member countries by identifying practical approaches to achieving clean power.

Marking a significant shift in ADB’s 60-year history, Kanda expressed the bank’s readiness to include nuclear power in its operational framework. He emphasized that nuclear power could serve as a crucial option for countries seeking alternatives to coal and gas, thereby reducing emissions. Kanda stated that ADB’s role would focus on ensuring nuclear energy is safe, reliable, and financially viable.

Additionally, Kanda reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to provid
ing up to $10 billion over the next decade to support the ASEAN Power Grid. This initiative aims to facilitate the cross-border movement of clean power, ensuring its availability where and when it is needed. He also highlighted the bank’s new Critical Minerals to Manufacturing strategy, which includes a $410 million financing package for the Reko Diq Mining Project. This project is intended to secure a reliable copper supply, essential for the clean energy transition.