Suva: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Azusa Sato as Regional Director of its Pacific Subregional Office, based in Suva, Fiji. Ms. Sato will manage seven offices across the Pacific region, including in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Her role will involve leading engagement with members and partners, overseeing the implementation of ADB's country partnership strategy for Fiji, and contributing to the development of ADB's new Pacific Approach 2026-2030.
According to Asian Development Bank, Ms. Sato expressed her enthusiasm and honor to join ADB's Pacific team. She emphasized her commitment to working with clients to improve the quality of life for Pacific Islanders, implementing innovative solutions, and engaging in strategic dialogue aligned with ADB's priorities. She also acknowledged the vital contributions of development partners in addressing the region's unique challenges.
Ms. Sato brings over 17 years of professional experience, including a decade at ADB. Before her new appointment, she served as Senior Advisor to the ADB President, advising on strategic corporate priorities and engaging in high-level policy dialogues with Pacific Heads of States on domestic and regional challenges.
Her journey with ADB began in 2016 as a Health Specialist in the Southeast Asia Department. In 2019, she transitioned to ADB's Indonesia Resident Mission as a Social Sector Specialist and was promoted to Senior Social Sector Specialist in 2021. A national of the United Kingdom, Ms. Sato holds a doctorate in health policy and a master's in population and development from the London School of Economics, alongside a bachelor's in economics from Cambridge University.
ADB is a prominent multilateral development bank, fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. It collaborates with its members and partners to address complex challenges, utilizing innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to improve lives, develop quality infrastructure, and protect the environment. Established in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members, 50 of which are from the region.