Infrastructure is essential for development. This report presents a snapshot of the current condition of developing Asia's infrastructure---defined here as transport, power, telecommunications, and water supply and sanitation. It examines how much the region has been investing in infrastructure and what will likely be needed through 2030. Finally, it analyzes the financial and institutional challenges that will shape future infrastructure investment and development.

The 2017 Development Effectiveness Review (DEfR) is the 11th in a series of yearly reports by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on its performance in achieving the priorities of Strategy 2020, its long-term strategic framework for 2008–2020. The 2017 DEfR tracks recent development progress in Asia and the Pacific, assesses ADB's development effectiveness, and identifies areas where ADB's performance needs to be strengthened.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) issued its long-term strategic framework, Strategy 2020, in April 2008 to guide its operations to meet the changing assistance needs of its developing members. The strategy identified financial sector development as one of the five focal areas of ADB's operations through 2020. This Financial Sector Operational Plan aims to articulate the financial sector agendas of Strategy 2020 and guide its implementation by ADB.