The Asian Development Bank and Japan have launched a new joint initiative aimed at helping countries and businesses across Asia and the Pacific cope with rising energy prices while supporting the long-term transition to more resilient and sustainable energy systems.ADB President Masato Kanda said the region is experiencing growing stress from volatile energy markets and that support is needed to manage both immediate pressures and long-term reform.
He noted that the initiative reflects Japan’s ongoing partnership in stabilising regional economies and advancing cleaner, more reliable energy systems essential for sustainable development.The initiative, known as Action for Creating Energy Security for Long-term Resilience (ACCEL), was formally introduced during the ADB Annual Meeting. It brings together financial resources, technical support, and targeted investments designed to help countries absorb near-term shocks and strengthen their energy infrastructure for the future.
Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the partnership under ACCEL will draw on Japan’s experience and technology to support economic growth across the region. She noted that the effort will play a key role in assisting small and medium-sized enterprises affected by global disruptions while also helping developing member countries reshape their energy systems. Japan will work closely with ADB to ensure an effective crisis response.
Many of ADB’s developing member countries are facing significant challenges as fuel price fluctuations, supply uncertainties, and global disruptions continue to put pressure on households and businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises are among the most vulnerable, dealing with sharply rising operating costs and increasingly tight liquidity conditions that threaten their stability and growth.ACCEL will operate through a two-track approach.
In the short term, it will focus on supporting corporate liquidity—particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises—along with technical assistance to help them navigate immediate financial strain. Over the medium to long term, the initiative aims to promote more diversified and sustainable energy systems, strengthening both economic and energy resilience across the region.Under the initiative, ADB will mobilise its existing range of financing instruments to meet country demand.
These include financial intermediation loans, credit lines, guarantees, and policy-based lending designed to channel support to businesses that are experiencing increased funding needs. Such measures are intended to sustain business operations, protect jobs, and help preserve economic stability in countries most affected by energy-related pressures.ADB will also expand investment in projects that enhance energy security, including renewable energy development, improvements in energy efficiency, and broader efforts to support energy conservation.
These measures aim to build more stable and diversified energy systems capable of withstanding market shocks over the long term.Japan will complement these efforts through its ADB-administered trust funds, supporting project preparation, implementation, and knowledge-sharing consistent with ACCEL’s objectives. The initiative will also coordinate with Japanese development finance institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, ensuring aligned efforts and maximising regional impact.
Further details on ACCEL’s operational framework and project pipeline will be released at a later stage as implementation progresses.The Asian Development Bank continues to be a central development partner in the region, supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth. Established in 1966 and owned by 69 members, the institution works alongside governments and partners to address emerging challenges, build quality infrastructure, and strengthen long-term development outcomes across Asia and the Pacific.
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