The Regional and Sustainable Development Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is responsible for developing policy and monitoring all aspects of the ADB's work. Jan van Heeswijk heads this department.
The Regional and Sustainable Development Department develops and monitors policies and guidelines, ensures quality control, supports regional development and monitors compliance with policies and guidelines for all the ADB's work. "A regional approach to information exchange, capacity building, policy formulation, pilot projects, and studies is a cost-effective approach to help national and local governments", said Jan.
The sustainability of the ADB's projects is an essential component of their work, particularly as Asian countries develop rapidly. "A large part of the urban population of Asia lives in cities with inadequate or non-existent air quality management systems. In order to expand the implementation of effective air quality management systems, national governments will need to re-assess institutional frameworks and devolve mandates, resources and capacity the local government level", explained Jan. "It is essential that decision makers in government and the private sector develop a better understanding of the economic and social implications of air pollution".
Jan joined the ADB in 1981 as an Irrigation Engineer in one of ADB's Agriculture/Rural Development Divisions. From 1995 he has held various managerial positions, which included Assistant Chief of the Strategy and Policy Office, Manager of the Agriculture and Rural Development Division (West), and Country Director, Indonesia Resident Mission.
A Dutch national, he launched his career in 1973 when he started work with the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Philippines, as an Associate Expert. He studied a Masters degree in Civil Engineering at Delft University in the Netherlands.
In the future, Jan believes that the gaps between countries' growth performances in Asia will narrow. "Just as the process of globalization is said to create both winners and losers, so can regional cooperation if not carried out with great care. Increased technical assistance and related investments are needed to ensure that all countries and groups can benefit". He said, adding "successful cooperation takes time, extraordinary patience, political commitment, and willingness by countries to give and take. Experience in Asia and the Pacific has shown that countries engaged in many different types of cooperation are more successful in their efforts to benefit a broad group of stakeholders in each country".
