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.
How We're Organized
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.
Woochong Um
Woochong Um is ADB’s Managing Director General. He assumed the position on 22 February 2021.
Mr. Um is responsible for ensuring bank-wide coherence on key initiatives and issues. He provides oversight to the Transformation Office, Office of Safeguards and Department of Communications and Knowledge Management. Together with the Office of the President he also oversees the Office of the Ombudsperson, Office of Professional Ethics and Conduct and Office of the Special Project Facilitator. He oversees various special initiatives which cut across ADB.
ADB Records $11.4 Billion in Cofinancing, Focused on Resilience Against Economic Shocks
The financing partners of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $11.4 billion in cofinancing of ADB projects in 2022 to help build the resilience of developing member countries and enable them to withstand economic shocks, according to the Partnership Report 2022: Driving Growth, Boosting Resilience.
Innovative Financing Key to Private Sector Participation in ASEAN+3 Infrastructure Development — ADB Report
ADB, in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three (ASEAN+3) finance ministers and central bank governors, has launched the report Reinvigorating Financing Approaches for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure in ASEAN+3.Participants Gather for ADB's 56th Annual Meeting in Incheon, Republic of Korea
About 4,500 participants are gathering in Incheon for the Asian Development Bank’s 56th Annual Meeting.ADB, GEAPP Announce $35 Million for Energy Access and Transition for South and Southeast Asia
ADB joined the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet to announce $35 million to help boost energy access and the energy transition in South and Southeast Asia.Global Crises Further Threaten Progress on SDGs: ADB–UN Report
The convergence of multiple global crises is further jeopardizing Asia and the Pacific’s ability to achieve the SDGs by 2030, according to a report released today by ESCAP, ADB, and UNDP.
Launch of the Building Adaptation and Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalayas Initiative at COP 28 - Woochong Um
Opening remarks by Woochong Um, ADB Managing Director General, at the launch of the Building Adaptation and Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalayas Initiative at COP 28, 3 December 2023, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesAsia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development: ESCAP ADB UNDP SDG Partnership Report Launch - Woochong Um
Remarks by Woochong Um, ADB Managing Director General, at the Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development, 27 March 2023.
6th UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters - Woochong Um
Remarks by Woochong Um, ADB Managing Director General, at the 6th UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters, UN 2023 Water Conference, 21 March 2023, New York
ADB-Statistics Korea (KOSTAT) MoU Signing Ceremony - Woochong Um
Welcome remarks by Woochong Um, ADB Managing Director General, at the ADB-KOSTAT MoU Signing Ceremony, 12 December 2022
1st Asia-Pacific Housing Conference - Woochong Um
Welcome remarks by Woochong Um, ADB Managing Director General and Office-in-Charge Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, at the 1st Asia-Pacific Housing Conference, 8 November 2022.
Mr. Um is ADB’s Managing Director General. He assumed the position on 22 February 2021.
Mr. Um reports to the ADB President and is responsible for ensuring bank-wide coherence on key initiatives and issues. He provides oversight to the Transformation Office, Office of Safeguards and Department of Communications and Knowledge Management. Together with the Office of the President he also oversees the Office of the Ombudsperson, Office of Professional Ethics and Conduct and Office of the Special Project Facilitator. He oversees various special initiatives which cut across ADB.
Mr. Um joined ADB in 1993. He served most recently as Director General and concurrently Chief Compliance Officer of ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, leading knowledge management and innovation work in all thematic and sector operational areas. He served as ADB Secretary from 2014 to 2018.
Prior to joining ADB, he worked for Pfizer Inc. in New York and Pitney Bowes Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut, United States.
Mr. Um holds an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from Boston College.
See news release.