ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
ORGANIZATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
ADB supports projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact, delivered through both public and private sector operations, advisory services, and knowledge support.
Environment
ADB promotes and invests in nature and environmental sustainability to achieve economic growth and reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific.
Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies
ADB recognizes that investments in ocean health and blue economies are critical to strengthen resilience, improve food security, protect cultural heritage, and catalyze economic transformation in Asia and the Pacific.
In 2019, ADB launched the Healthy Oceans Action Plan to scale up investments and technical assistance to $5 billion between 2019 and 2024. The Action Plan aims to protect and restore coastal and marine ecosystems, promote inclusive livelihood opportunities, grow sustainable blue economies, build resilient coastal communities, and contribute to food security in Asia and the Pacific.
$2.2 Billion in Commitments (2019-2022)
$2.7 Billion in the Pipeline (2023-2024)
Flagship Programs
Enhancing the resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems and island nations through nature-based adaptation investments
Accelerating action to reduce marine plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy
Supporting blue livelihoods and restorative marine value chains
Increasing the amount and efficacy of ocean finance through innovative mechanisms
Partnerships in Action
ADB has strong ocean partnerships with:
Funds, Facilities, and Advisory Services
Finance Mechanisms
Blue Bond Incubator
Research and development of sovereign and corporate blue bonds
Coral Reef Insurance
Developing and piloting novel parametric insurance in Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Solomon Islands
Developing Green Ports and Maritime Decarbonization Financing
Enabling investments in green, resilient port infrastructure and maritime decarbonization technologies
Subregional Hubs
Blue Southeast Asia Finance Hub
Platform to develop enabling conditions, structure, and finance to accelerate public and private ocean investments and blue initiatives in Southeast Asia
Blue Pacific Finance Hub
Platform to foster collaboration, develop enabling conditions, and prepare and implement $500 million in ocean investments
SME BlueIMPACT Asia Platform
Accelerating and financing small and medium ocean enterprises
Perspectives on Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies
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How Innovative Technologies and Business Models Enable a Circular Plastics Economy
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Breaking the Waves: Kickstarting the Global Sustainable Blue Economy in Southeast Asia
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The Blue SEA (Southeast Asia) Finance Hub: 10 Things to Know
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Don’t Look Up, Look into Solutions for Ocean Acidification
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Investing in Marine Protected Areas is Investing in Our Own Survival
Experts
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Key Resources
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Healthy Oceans Implementation Plan 2022–2024
This plan outlines the Asian Development Bank’s enhanced support during 2022–2024 toward conserving and restoring ocean health and resilience and building a stronger blue economy for Asia and the Pacific.
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Financing the Blue Economy: Investments in Sustainable Blue Small–Medium Enterprises and Projects in Asia and the Pacific
This joint report highlights opportunities for mobilizing investment for a sustainable blue economy in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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ADB Blue Pacific Finance Hub: A Regional Approach
The ADB Blue Pacific Finance Hub is a new initiative focused on increasing ocean investments to help build resilient blue economies through sovereign and nonsovereign lending programs, cofinancing, and partnerships.
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Financing the Ocean Back to Health in Southeast Asia: Approaches for Mainstreaming Blue Finance
This publication identifies investment approaches, opportunities, and finance mechanisms in Southeast Asia that can promote and catalyze funds for a sustainable ocean economy.
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7 Feb 2023
ADB Data Room: Marine Aquaculture, Reefs, Renewable Energy, and Ecotourism for Ecosystem Services
On 7 February 2023, ADB and the Centre for Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (CIMT-GT) hosted a High Level Investor Forum in Kuala Lumpur with the theme “New Ocean Energy Economy.” Over 150 participants discussed marine renewable energy and its use to regenerate ocean ecosystems. The keynote speech was delivered by Yang Berhormat Tuan Mohd Rafizi Bin Ramli, Minister of Economy, Malaysia. Other speakers and participants included representatives from Palau, the Philippines, CIMT-TG, ADB, government, infrastructure and energy developers, investors, blue economy businesses, and community groups. -
8 Nov 2022
EgyptOcean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific
This was a two-part session that discussed the issues and challenges faced in implementing coastal climate adaptation and emphasized the central role of oceans in global climate mitigation and adaptation. -
29 Jun 2022
PortugalFinancing the Blue Economy in Asia and the Pacific
This side event shared emerging experience in developing Blue Finance Roadmaps and opportunities to attract investment through blue bonds, coral reef insurance, and platforms for scaling up blue economy activity. -
26-28 Jan 2022
Healthy Oceans Tech and Finance Forum: Innovative Solutions for Asia and the Pacific
“ADB Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies” - A film by Juergen and Stella Freund -
23 Sep 2021-18 Nov 2021
ADB Circular Economy Sprint Series - Closing the Circle: Reducing Plastic Pollution and Promoting Green Businesses
This learning series aimed to (i) introduce the concept of circular economy (CE); (ii) communicate the benefits of applying CE principles to projects and programs; (iii) identify opportunities to mainstream CE in ADB operations; and (iv) upskill ADB project officers on steps to incorporate CE into programs and the early part of project preparation. -
17 Nov 2021
Webinar on Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index for Climate Change Assessment: Cases of Fiji, the Philippines, and Bangladesh
This webinar examined key findings from the Climate Change and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index Survey and how the index can help government officials visualize and address ocean-related climate threats. -
8 Jun 2021
World Oceans Day Webinar, 2021: Gender and Resilience in Coastal Communities
This webinar provided an overview of the urgent need to consider gender equality in coastal and fisheries resource management. -
10-11 Nov 2020
Virtual Conference on Blue Economy and Blue Finance: Towards Sustainable Development and Ocean Governance
The focus was on the blue economy and blue finance, including related governance planning, sectoral management, and risk management.
News and Multimedia
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ADB, Key Partners Announce $16.5 Million for Ocean Health in the Pacific
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ADB Approves $3.8 Million Support for Development of Coral Reef Insurance
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ADB Launches First Blue Bond Incubator to Boost Ocean Investment
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ADB Calls for Innovative Financing for Ocean Health Improvement
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ADB Issues First Blue Bond for Ocean Investments
