ADB Opens Expanded Pacific Office in Suva, Strengthening Support for Fiji and Regions

The newly expanded office reflects ADB’s commitment to delivering more localized, on-the-ground support for Pacific island countries.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has officially opened its expanded Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, marking a major step in strengthening development support for Fiji and reinforcing the country’s role as a hub for regional cooperation across the Pacific.

ADB President Masato Kanda and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka inaugurated the upgraded premises today following high-level discussions on advancing inclusive economic growth and accelerating collective action to address the Pacific’s shared challenges.

“These new premises are a clear signal of our ambition,” Mr Kanda said.

“We are moving faster and thinking bigger. With our upgraded presence in Suva, the geographic heart of the Pacific, we will help advance regional cooperation and integration to tackle shared challenges and build a resilient and prosperous Pacific.”

Expanded Presence to Deepen Local Expertise

The newly expanded office reflects ADB’s commitment to delivering more localized, on-the-ground support for Pacific island countries.

Over the past five years, the Suva-based team has more than doubled in size, growing to around 70 personnel, enabling stronger technical capacity and operational reach.

The Suva hub supports ADB programmes across seven Pacific countries:

• Cook Islands

• Fiji

• Kiribati

• Niue

• Samoa

• Tonga

• Tuvalu

The expansion will allow ADB to provide deeper expertise in infrastructure, climate resilience, economic reform and regional integration.

Rapid Increase in ADB Financing for Fiji

During their bilateral meeting, Mr Kanda and Prime Minister Rabuka highlighted the sharp rise in ADB development financing for Fiji in recent years.

ADB has committed $1.3 billion to Fiji since 1972, with $675 million committed since 2020 alone, reflecting Fiji’s increased access to concessional loans and grants.

The accelerated funding is supporting:

• Private sector development reforms

• Transport infrastructure upgrades

• Water and sanitation improvements

• Urban services investment

The leaders also discussed Fiji’s growing role in convening dialogue and promoting collective regional solutions among Pacific island nations.

Focus on Private Sector Growth and Digital Transformation

Mr Kanda also met with Fiji’s Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development and ADB Governor Esrom Immanuel, reaffirming ADB’s commitment to strengthening economic resilience through private sector-led growth and expanded public–private partnerships.

Their discussions included collaboration on a national digital ID system, a key pillar of Fiji’s digital transformation agenda that will improve access to government services, banking and financial inclusion.

Showcasing Pacific Innovation: Moana Data Service

Following the meetings, Mr Kanda attended a showcase of Kahuto Pacific, a local aerial mapping firm supported by the ADB Frontier programme.

The company is developing the Moana Data Service, the Pacific’s first locally led geospatial data platform, designed to provide island countries with direct access to high-resolution aerial imagery.

The platform will support:

• Climate resilience planning

• Infrastructure development

• Disaster risk reduction

• Better decision-making for remote communities

The initiative highlights ADB’s growing focus on innovation-driven solutions tailored to Pacific priorities.

Suva Office Signals Regional Ambition

The opening of the expanded Suva office underscores ADB’s intention to scale up its engagement in the Pacific at a time when the region faces intensifying pressures from climate change, infrastructure needs and economic vulnerability.

With Fiji at the centre of its Pacific operations, ADB says it will continue working with governments, communities and the private sector to build a more resilient, integrated and prosperous Pacific region.