The Asian Development Bank (ADB) welcomed the United States as the newest member of the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), its agency member leaders meeting today, 11 December.

The United States joins ADB, the governments of Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank Group in supporting the facility, which aims to improve infrastructure and services in the Pacific subregion.

“We are excited to be fully involved in PRIF activities and look forward to working with our partners on strategic infrastructure development priorities in the Pacific region,” the State Department Director of East Asia Pacific and Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Affairs (ANP) Mr Nicholas Dean said. “We recognize the PRIF Charter, which outlines principles and the partners’ commitment to increasing the quality and effectiveness of infrastructure assistance in the region.”

Mr Dean led a delegation from the US Departments of State and Interior and the US Agency for International Development at the meeting.

Ms. Carmela Locsin, the Director General of ADB's Pacific Department said, "ADB welcomes the US joining PRIF, which will foster deeper cooperation and coordination among partners on infrastructure development in the Pacific.

“The strong cooperation between PRIF partners allows all of us to leverage each other’s experience and knowledge to help Pacific countries improve infrastructure services and development outcomes for their people."

The PRIF Coordination Office is based in ADB’s office in Sydney, Australia and is funded through grants from ADB and the governments of Australia and New Zealand.

Since 2008, PRIF partners have worked closely with Pacific governments to coordinate development partner assistance to improve the quality, reliability, and availability of critical infrastructure in both rural and urban areas to boost economic growth, create jobs, and provide access to public services.

The PRIF Coordination Office provides Pacific governments with comprehensive and coordinated support and technical advice on infrastructure development and investment and supports national development goals of Pacific nations by helping to ensure infrastructure investments are well-designed and managed.

The PRIF uses research, technical assistance, and advisory services to support 13 Pacific island countries to make improvements in energy; telecommunications; road, aviation, and maritime transport; urban development and waste management; and water and sanitation services.

ADB stated it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.