Stronger Together: How Regional Connectivity Can Accelerate Asia and the Pacific’s Growth

Why It Matters

Greater regional connectivity and harmonized institutions could be the decisive strategy for Asia-Pacific middle-income countries to unlock sustained, inclusive growth, accelerate industrial upgrading, and attract long-term investment across physical and digital networks. Implementing these measures would shape the region’s competitiveness and climate-resilient infrastructure development for decades.

Summary

At an ADBI-hosted session ahead of the ADB annual meeting, ADBI dean Bambang Brodjonegoro outlined a new flagship program aimed at helping Asian middle-income economies avoid the ‘middle-income trap’ by deepening regional cooperation and integration. He argued that Europe’s EU experience shows how rule-based, cross-border economic integration can accelerate income convergence, and presented five policy pillars—macroeconomic stability, regional integration/trade and industrial policy, digital transformation and innovation, quality and inclusive growth, and sustainability and climate-resilient infrastructure. Panel discussions will examine practical measures—coordinated standards, cross-border infrastructure, and institutional cooperation—to strengthen physical and digital connectivity, support supply-chain evolution, and promote technology diffusion. The initiative draws on World Bank and ADB research showing few middle-income countries have reached high-income status without strong regional frameworks and institutional backing.

Original Description

Watch ADBI’s session at the ADB Annual Meeting in Samarkand, on 3 May 2026.

ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro delivers an opening address, before ADBI Deputy Dean Byungsik Jung moderates a panel discussion on how regional frameworks and subregional programs, such as CAREC and ASEAN, can strengthen connectivity, enhance supply chain linkages, accelerate technology diffusion, and develop green infrastructure Panelists: Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of Asia and Pacific Division – Public Sector Operations, European Investment Bank; Leah Gutierrez, Director General, Central and West Asia Department, ADB; Arief Ramayandi Senior Research Economist, Asian Development Bank Institute; Romana Vlahutin, Special Envoy for the Strategic Connectivity and 3 Seas Initiative.