"If Cumpio and Domequil who have voices to speak for being a journalist and a church worker respectfully are already being persecuted by weaponized laws, how can an ordinary Filipino seek justice for himself?"

Karapatan said that the quadcomm hearings revealed the involvement of Duterte’s people in perpetrating human rights violations against activists and human rights defenders.

“We were not hiding anything,” Cumpio said during the hearing. “We would have allowed them in because we have nothing illegal to hide,” she said, referring to the Feb. 7, 2020 raids.

“We’re ready to testify before the QuadComm as victims of extrajudicial killings,” Rosenda Lemita said, stressing that they want Duterte and those responsible to face investigation. For these families, the government’s “nanlaban” excuse is not just for the drug war but also for silencing activists.

Days before Kristine (international name: Trami) developed into a severe tropical storm, the Philippine Sea was warmer than usual. Under the warming climate, the typhoon-prone Bicol Region is more vulnerable with decimated forests. Both Camarines Sur and Albay saw a net loss of tree cover from 2000 to 2020, according to Global Forest Watch.

It’s no coincidence that extreme heat is engulfing huge swaths of Asia, Europe and North America all at the same time.

By-elections were seen as an indicator of the two main parties' prospects at a time when voters are struggling with high inflation, strikes and rising mortgage rates.

Toyota has teamed up with JAXA since 2019 to develop the manned lunar rover — which it dubbed the Lunar Cruiser — that they hope can be put on the moon in 2029.

A bill discussed at the House labour committee on Tuesday would change pensions given to widowers and see them brought in line with those given to widows. It was submitted by independent socialist MP Kostis Efstathiou. Akel MP and committee chair Andreas Kafkalias said the current division between widowers who receive a pension and those […]

The energy regulator said on Tuesday it will review data purporting to show how the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) could “trim the fat” and cut costs by up to 15 per cent, translating into lower utility bills for consumers. The EAC’s “fat” has become a buzzword after Michalis Persianis, head of the Fiscal Council, […]

Wall Street firms are expected to pay heftier bonuses for this year, the first increase since a bumper year in 2021, according to a report by compensation consultancy Johnson Associates. Payouts will probably rise after financiers benefited from several factors in recent months: a recovery in dealmaking, the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates and equity […]

The Bank of Cyprus (BoC) on Tuesday reported a profit after tax of €401 million for the first nine months of 2024, representing a 15 per cent increase year-on-year. According to the bank’s latest financial results, €131 million of this amount was generated during the third quarter. “We continue to generate strong financial and operational […]

More European Central Bank interest rate cuts are coming and the deposit rate could hit the so-called neutral level in the first half of next year, Finnish central bank chief Olli Rehn said on Tuesday. The ECB has already cut rates three times this year as prices have fallen and further cuts at each of […]

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos met his Azeri counterpart on the sidelines of COP29, the first such contact from the state. Kombos had a bilateral meeting with Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in Baku, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis posted on X. Letymbiotis said the two ministers had discussed issues of mutual interest in a frank exchange […]

The United States stressed at the United Nations that “there must be no forcible displacement, nor policy of starvation in Gaza” by Israel, warning such policies would have grave implications under U.S. and international law. The remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield came just hours after Washington said its ally Israel was […]

“Cyprus has gone from zero to over 330 licensed investment entities managing €9 billion in assets in just a decade,” according to Maria Panayiotou, president of the Cyprus Investment Fund Association (CIFA). Speaking at the 5th Fund and Asset Management Conference in Athens, Panayiotou attributed this growth to “relentless effort and strategic vision.” She added […]

ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy for Bhutan for 2024-2028 aims to enable inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and job-creating growth.

The Asian Development Bank has launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) to support the Philippines’ transformation in the next 6 years. It is designed to ensure sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth in the face of climate challenges.

Uncovering crucial gaps in climate change data systems reveals how these deficiencies hamper our understanding of climate impacts on vulnerable populations in developing Asia. How can we empower national statistical systems in collecting and analyzing data they need to effectively tackle climate change?

Opening remarks by Roberta Casali, ADB Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management, at the 2024 Asian Regional Forum on Investment Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves, 25 September 2024, Japan

Remarks by Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank, at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Independent Accountability Mechanisms of Multilateral Banks and International Financial Institutions, 1 October 2024, ADB headquarters, Manila, Philippines

The Mortgage Market Sector Development Program aims to transform the government’s housing financing approach to a market-based mortgage system that can provide long-term and affordable housing loans to low- and middle-income households, with specific consideration to home ownership by women.

The Asian Development Bank is ramping up investment in technical and vocational education and training in Bhutan, which is helping to train thousands

Decision makers need to analyze, exchange, and disseminate statistical information effectively in today’s data-driven world. See how Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standards are helping create robust data links across the globe.

ADB sought to understand what improving transport meant for the community. Prior to project design, consultations were conducted with residents in Ulaanbaatar’s ger areas. Design decisions were tested back to ensure that mobility pain points were addressed.

A sovereign exposure exchange is a cost-effective risk management tool used by multilateral development banks (MDBs) to reduce sovereign portfolio concentration risks. It provides capital relief for MDBs by exchanging loan guarantees on credit exposure from borrowing countries where an MDB is highly concentrated for exposure to countries where the MBD’s exposure is lower or nonexistent.

This video introduces a new publication presenting five case studies of projects in the People's Republic of China that illustrate how effective solutions to environmental and social problems have been applied in different contexts.

Developing Asia’s outlook remains upbeat, with falling inflation and solid growth driven by strong domestic demand and exports. But risks remain, including geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism. How can the region remain resilient?

Mongolia's nomadic herders, reliant on fragile ecosystems, are facing increasing challenges from climate change. The Asian Development Bank is empowering these communities with small grants and targeted initiatives to build climate resilience.

ADB’s report on sovereign default and loss rates demonstrates the low credit risk in ADB's sovereign operations, with an average default rate of 0.54% over the last 34 years and zero new defaults from 2010 to 2021.

Remarks by Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank, at the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit, Plenary Session, 7 November 2024

Remarks by Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank, at the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit, Leaders’ Retreat, 7 November 2024

Remarks by Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank, at the 30 Years of Kazakhstan-ADB Anniversary Reception, 8 November 2024

Bamboo value chain can be developed and scaled up to support climate action, create green jobs, resilient businesses, and financial health, especially for the region's rural communities.

With ADB’s support, Azerbaijan is investing heavily in renewable energy to encourage sustainable growth and diversify the country’s energy supply.

Intervention by Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank, on behalf of the multilateral development banks at COP29, World Leaders Summit, 12 November 2024

The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy has become increasingly data-dependent, with inflation and employment figures driving the nascent easing cycle. What does this mean for Asia’s financial markets?

ADB has a vacancy for the position of Senior Ombuds Programs Officer in the Office of the Ombudsperson. The deadline for submitting applications is on 13-NOV-2024.

Public financial management systems in Asia and the Pacific face significant challenges, with many indicators falling short of international standards. Fixing these issues requires a strategic, transparent, and carefully timed approach to reform.

Public financial management systems in Asia and the Pacific face significant challenges, with many indicators falling short of international standards. Fixing these issues requires a strategic, transparent, and carefully timed approach to reform.

To support e-commerce, public-private collaboration must prioritize closing the digital divide, supporting small businesses, and promoting environmental sustainability. Strengthening data governance, competition, and tax frameworks are also key to resilient and equitable e-commerce.

World Mental Health Day is a timely reminder that integrating mental health care into schools, workplaces, and communities is critical for improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Expanding digital interventions and peer-support systems are also crucial, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

As a landlocked country, Uzbekistan’s roads carried 1.24 billion tons, or 90.6% of all freight, in 2020 (rail 5.2%, pipelines 4.2%).

Climate change financing is a key part of green finance, essential for driving investment towards climate action and achieving the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) carbon peaking and neutrality goals.

Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative offers a vision of peace and stability through improved infrastructure and trade. It is also a great opportunity to build sustainable infrastructure, improve customs clearance, and promote green trade. Key reforms in road safety and foreign direct investment are essential for long-term success, positioning Armenia as a strategic hub for regional trade.

Armenia's data center industry offers significant opportunities for economic growth, with strategic reforms in regulation, financing, and technological innovation playing crucial roles. Addressing infrastructure challenges and fostering public-private partnerships will help position Armenia as a regional digital hub.

Climate change poses an increasing threat to people and their livelihoods. Record heat waves, catastrophic floods, prolonged droughts, and other extreme weather events in Asia and the Pacific are becoming more frequent.

Building intellectual capacity and fostering learning partnerships enhance long-term capabilities in organizations and communities. Localized solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge and governance reforms empower societies to achieve resilient, sustainable development.

Cities are engines of economic growth, generating over 80% of the global gross domestic product. As centers of innovation and technological development, they play a crucial role in creating jobs, driving commerce, and providing social services.