Fiji, May 6 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says its new Pacific Approach of 2026-2030 will focus heavily on building long-term resilience in small island economies as they face increasing exposure to global shocks, from pandemics to geopolitical crises and climate-related disasters.

ADB Director General for the Pacific Department, Emma Veve said lessons from COVID-19 and the current instability linked to the Middle East crisis have reinforced the need for stronger regional systems capable of absorbing and responding to external disruptions.

"The Pacific economies are volatile. As very small, open, narrowly based economies, they are more susceptible to every single shock-economic, natural disasters, or health crises like COVID," Vev...