The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Eugene Zhukov as Director General of its Central and West Asia Regional Department, the ADB said in its Friday press release.
As Director General, Zhukov will lead ADB’s engagement with 10 countries in the region: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; and oversee the bank’s regional portfolio of $24 billion, an ADB statement said.
Zhukov, a national of Kazakhstan, will manage 10 country offices and 7 sector divisions: energy; environment, natural resources, and agriculture; public management, financial sector, and trade; regional cooperation and operations coordination; social; transport and communications; and urban development and water, the ADB added.
He will also supervise ADB’s engagement with the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, a partnership for 11 members to promote economic growth and sustainable development through cooperation.
“Central and West Asia has experienced unprecedented change in recent decades and while there is vast potential for continued development, our immediate focus remains on addressing the impacts of COVID-19,” said Zhukov in the statement. “ADB will continue to work closely with governments and development partners in the region to foster the economic recovery, develop transport corridors, promote renewable energy, and build competitive and inclusive economies.”
Mr. Zhukov replaces outgoing Director General Werner Liepach who retires after almost 30 years with the bank.
