Manila: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Winfried Wicklein as Director General for its Sectors Department 2. In this role, Mr. Wicklein will lead operations across the agriculture, food, nature, rural development, water, urban development, and digital sectors. He will support ADB's positioning as a leader in development expertise and strengthen the institution's thought leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
According to Asian Development Bank, ADB's work across these sectors is transformational, and Mr. Wicklein expressed his excitement about taking on this new role. He emphasized the importance of mobilizing expertise and financial resources to help developing member countries leverage innovative new approaches and achieve inclusive, resilient, and sustainable outcomes.
Mr. Wicklein is a seasoned development professional with more than 30 years of experience, including 26 years with ADB. In 2023, he was appointed Director General of ADB's Southeast Asia Department after serving for two years as Deputy Director General. In this role, he led the strategic planning and delivery of ADB's goals and work plan in Southeast Asia, overseeing operations and staff across the department. His previous assignments include country director for Myanmar and country director for Indonesia.
A national of Austria, Mr. Wicklein holds a master's degree in international management from the University of Münster, Germany. ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.