Taking Better Care of Infrastructure

Modern infrastructure is the mark of economic growth and prosperity. In Asia and the Pacific, an estimated $1.7 trillion is needed annually until 2030 to bridge the infrastructure gap, including climate change considerations. Managing this infrastructure well is an important part of how Asian countries plan to boost productivity, improve lives, save money, and even tackle climate change.

“The benefits of infrastructure investments in Asia and the Pacific will only be realized if infrastructure is properly maintained and operated throughout their life cycle through good asset management,” said Michael Anyala, senior road asset management specialist at ADB.

In 2023, ADB launched a regional technical assistance program to improve infrastructure management in its developing member countries (DMCs). This program will focus on enhancing asset management operations in various sectors, such as energy, information and communication technology, irrigation, transport, urban development, and water. The Netherlands Trust Fund and the Multi-donor Trust Fund (both under ADB’s Water Financing Partnership Facility) are cofinancing the program.

The program aims to boost the sustainability of infrastructure projects by providing technical support to DMCs. This includes incorporating asset management into project planning and strategy, fostering dialogue with DMCs, and promoting the digitalization of infrastructure data for better decision-making. It will also address capacity-building needs, offering training sessions and developing knowledge solutions to improve asset management practices.

Two key program outputs are identified: first, supporting DMCs in identifying and preparing asset management initiatives, and second, enhancing the knowledge and capacity of DMCs in asset management. This involves providing expert input to projects, assessing asset management maturity, and facilitating dialogue on future asset management projects, including private sector involvement.

Ultimately, the program aims to promote quality infrastructure investments that are green, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. By improving asset management practices, ADB and its financing partners seek to enhance transparency, governance, and private sector participation in infrastructure development.