Photo Essays

Improving the rural road network in Sri Lanka is crucial to the country’s economic and social development. More than 80% of the country’s population lives in rural communities. ADB’s Integrated Road Investment Program (iRoad) is helping improve transport efficiency and connect rural communities with socioeconomic centers to boost agricultural productivity, employment, and economic growth in rural areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. With many governments under severe resource constraints, civil society organizations (CSOs) have often played a critical role in filling social assistance gaps. In Mongolia, ADB is working with CSOs to provide alternative livelihood programs for families and communities affected by the pandemic. Read their stories in this photo essay.

Recognizing that a well-functioning technical and vocational education system is important for economic development and social inclusion, the Government of Tajikistan has committed to improve the skills training system in the country. With ADB support, Tajikistan has developed new competency-based curricula and learning materials for 17 selected occupations, upgraded 29 learning institutions throughout the country, and improved access to modernized training programs.

A communication campaign by Asian Development Bank (ADB) calling for families to #AddLightToYourHome put a spotlight on a shadow pandemic–domestic violence (DV). ADB is not showing the faces of survivors to continue protecting them, but their hands talk and their stories flow.   

Khuvsgul Lake supports about 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and 1% of all fresh water in the world. Protecting it requires an integrated approach to support rural livelihoods, biodiversity, and park management.

Three ADB-led private sector projects in Thailand are helping reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its fast-growing transport sector. They provide comfortable urban travel for residents and visitors while helping the country map a low-carbon future.

Despite challenges posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the construction of Nepal’s Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) is nearly complete. GBIA will be Nepal’s second international airport. It will also serve as an alternate for Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu in the event of bad weather or other technical issues there.

Fiji’s road network is being repaired and upgraded to improve mobility, safety, and climate change resilience. The Asian Development Bank is helping finance work that is boosting trade, tourism, and education.

ADB is assisting the Government of Bangladesh in managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting socio-economic recovery. See the results and status of the program through this photo essay. 

In support of Sri Lanka’s Education Sector Development Framework and Program to enhance youth employability, ADB provided a $200 million Education Sector Development Program (ESDP) results-based loan.