MANESKIN RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘THE LONELIEST’

FOLLOWING SURPRISE SOLD OUT SHOW LAST NIGHT AT THE UNDERWORLD IN LONDON

(London - 7th October 2022) Today, global rock sensations Måneskin release their highly anticipated

new single ‘The Loneliest’, listen here. The single comes after a summer of phenomenal success

which saw the band dominate festival slots across the globe, as well as perform at Global Citizen,

MTV VMA Awards and more.

 

Stepping out of their comfort zone to vocalise a new sound not yet explored since their global

success, ‘The Loneliest’ is writhing with odes to classic old-school rock ballads. With roaring vocals

and electrifying guitar solos that are tinged with elegant delicacy, the single sees the band at their

most vulnerable yet.

 

Talking about the single, Damiano of Måneskin says: “We’re so excited for you all to finally hear

The Loneliest. This song means a lot to me, it’s a personal song but I hope you can all relate to

it in your own way. We played a tiny surprise show in London last night and performed The

Loneliest live for the first time and your reaction meant so much to us! We’re having a

whirlwind year touring the globe, meeting fans at gigs and festivals all over the world, from

Japan to America to Europe and beyond, and we can’t wait to continue touring and releasing

more music into 2023!"

 

Continuing to leave an indelible mark on the music scene with a swagger and attitude all too scarce

on the scene, Måneskin continue to redefine what it means to be a rock band in 2022. Last night

(Thursday 6th October) they sent fans in the United Kingdom into raptures as they performed new

single ‘The Loneliest’ at the 500 capacity The Underworld in Camden, North London. Announcing the

show the day before via their social channels, Maneskin ripped through a 45 minute set in the sweat

drenched venu after taking to the streets to meet fans who weren’t lucky enough to get in, and play a

heartfelt stripped back version of ‘The Loneliest’ ensuring fans inside and out of the venue were given

a night they will never forget.

 

Still riding high on the global success of bona fide radio hit ‘Supermodel’ that now stands at 170M

global streams, Måneskin are continuing a phenomenal summer of worldwide domination. 2022 has

so far seen full-throttle, colossal headline shows and huge main stage festival sets at Lollapalooza to

over 65,000 fans where the band literally rocked the crowd up close and personal, Italy’s historic Circo

Massimo which the band sold out and performed a stunning headline set to over 70,000 fans, Rock in

Rio, Pinkpop, Rock am Ring, Summer Sonic, and many more.

 

Adding to the band’s skyrocketing list of achievements this year alone, Måneskin performed their hit

single ‘SUPERMODEL’ at this year’s MTV VMA Awards - a performance that proved too hot for live

TV, with censors deeming the performance unsuitable for TV broadcast. Their performance has since

been restored and is available to watch on-demandHERE. The celebratory night also saw the band

proudly take home the VMA for ‘Best Alternative Video’ - the first ever VMA Award for an Italian artist.

Måneskin are set to bring the LOUD KIDS tour to the U.S. this winter before returning to Europe and

the UK in 2023.

 

MÅNESKIN’S Upcoming LOUD KIDS TOUR Dates

October 26, 2022 – Mexico City, Mexico – Pepsi CenterSOLD OUT

October 31, 2022 - Seattle, WA - Paramount TheatreSOLD OUT

November 3, 2022 - San Francisco, CA - Masonic Theatre SOLD OUT

November 4, 2022 - San Francisco, CA - Masonic Theatre

November 7, 2022 - Los Angeles, CA - The Palladium

November 8, 2022 - San Diego, CA - SOMA NEW DATE

November 10, 2022 - Phoenix, AZ - AZ Federal Theatre

November 12, 2022 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex

November 14, 2022 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore SOLD OUT

November 17, 2022 - Chicago, IL - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom NEW DATE

November 18, 2022 - Detroit, MI – Fillmore SOLD OUT

November 21, 2022 - Toronto, ON - History SOLD OUT

November 22, 2022 - Toronto, ON - History SOLD OUT

November 24, 2022 - Montreal, QC - MTelus SOLD OUT

November 26, 2022 - Boston, MA - MGM @ FenwaySOLD OUT

November 28, 2022 - Philadelphia, PA - The FillmoreSOLD OUT

November 29, 2022 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore

December 2, 2022 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom SOLD OUT

December 3, 2022 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom SOLD OUT

December 5, 2022 - Washington DC - Anthem SOLD OUT

December 7, 2022 - Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle SOLD OUT

December 9, 2022 - Miami, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Café (previously at: Fillmore) VENUE

UPGRADE

December 12, 2022 - Houston, TX - 713 Music Hall (previously at: Bayou Theatre) VENUE

UPGRADE

December 13, 2022 - Dallas, TX - Southside BallroomSOLD OUT

December 16, 2022 - Las Vegas, NV - Virgin Theatre

February 23, 2023 - Pesaro, Italy - Vitrifrigo ArenaEXTRA TICKETS

February 25, 2023 - Turin, Italy - Pala Alpitour SOLD OUT

February 27, 2023 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome (previously at: AFAS LIVE)

March 2, 2023 - Brussels, Belgium - Forest NationalSOLD OUT

March 3, 2023 - Brussels, Belgium - Forest NationalNEW DATE

March 6, 2023 - Berlin, Germany - Mercedes Benz Arena (previously at: Verti Music Hall)

March 10, 2023 - Cologne, Germany - Lanxess ArenaNEW DATE

March 13, 2023 - Paris, France - Accor Arena (previously at: Zenith)

March 16, 2023 - Bologna, Italy - Unipol Arena SOLD OUT

March 17, 2023 - Bologna, Italy - Unipol Arena NEW DATE

March 20, 2023 - Florence, Italy - Nelson Mandela Forum SOLD OUT

March 21, 2023 - Florence, Italy - Nelson Mandela Forum SOLD OUT

March 24, 2023 - Rome, Italy - Palazzo dello SportSOLD OUT

March 25, 2023 - Rome, Italy - Palazzo dello SportSOLD OUT

March 28, 2023 - Naples, Italy - Palapartenope SOLD OUT

March 29, 2023 - Naples, Italy - Palapartenope SOLD OUT

March 31, 2023 - Bari, Italy - Palaflorio SOLD OUT

April 3, 2023 - Milan, Italy - Mediolanum Forum SOLD OUT

April 4, 2023 - Milan, Italy - Mediolanum Forum SOLD OUT

April 6, 2023 - Milan, Italy - Mediolanum Forum SOLD OUT

April 11, 2023 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Saint JordiNEW DATE

26 April 2023 - Zurigo, Svizzera - Indoor Stadium (previously at: Halle 622)

April 28, 2023 - Vienna, Austria - Wiener Stadthalle

30 April 2023 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - RockhalSOLD OUT

May 2, 2023 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Royal ArenaNEW DATE

May 5, 2023 - Milan, Italy - Mediolanum Forum

May 8, 2023 - London, UK - The O2 Arena (previously at: O2 Academy Brixton)

May 12, 2023 - Warsaw, Poland - Torwar Hall SOLD OUT

May 14, 2023 - Prague, Czech Republic - O2 Arena (previously at: Malá Sportovní Hala)

May 16, 2023 - Budapest, Hungary - Budapest Arena (previously at: Barba Negra)

May 18, 2023 - Riga, Latvia - Arena Riga

19 May 2023 - Tallinn, Estonia - Saku Suurhall

 

ABOUT MÅNESKIN

“A Genuine Force… rejuvenating rock 'n' roll for the younger generation,” MÅNESKIN is a critically

acclaimed four-piece-rock band that began busking on the streets of Rome as teenagers, and now

just a few years later, are a razor tight group of captivating musicians widely hailed for being at the

forefront of driving a worldwide resurgence of Rock music. The band has Over 289 certifications,

including 44 Gold, 230 Platinum, and 15 Diamond. The past year has seen the band reach over 6

BILLION streams, while surging to #1 in numerous countries and across the Global charts of multiple

digital platforms (including the #2 TikTok song of 2021). The band’s meteoric rise has continued

straight into 2022, as they performed on Saturday NightLive, were hailed by The Los Angeles Times

as “America’s New Favorite Rock Band,”, won Best Alternative Video at the VMAs, Top Rock Song at

Billboard Music Awards, Best New Alternative Artist at iHeart Radio Music Awards, various wins at

National award shows in Japan, Spain, Poland, Hungary, and Finland, as well as over 19 nominations

globally including the Brit Awards, NME Awards, Kerrang Awards, Swiss Music Awards, and more.

They are also the first Italian band to have won the "Best Rock" award at the MTV Europe Music

Awards 2021. This summer has seen MÅNESKIN contribute a distinctive rendition of “If I Can Dream”

for ELVIS, the major motion picture and #1 charting soundtrack. Their Max Martin produced single

“SUPERMODEL” has recently surpassed 150 Million global streams, appeared in the Top 20 APC

in 17 countries, and remained #1 on the Billboard Alternative chart for 5 consecutive weeks.

Simultaneously, the band’s reputation as the leading new generation MUST-SEE LIVE rock act builds each and every time they take the stage. The band have been dominating the world’s stages in 2022, with a city-stopping sold out show at Rome’s historic Circus Maximus, and huge appearances at

Lollapalooza, Rock am Ring, Summer Sonic, Rock in Rio and many more.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

ALOK, SIGALA, AND ELLIE GOULDING TEAM UP FOR NEW DANCE POP ANTHEM “ALL BY MYSELF”

THE SINGLE BRINGS TOGETHER DEPECHE MODE’S ICONIC “ENJOY THE SILENCE” SAMPLE WITH ELLIE GOULDING’S HYPNOTIC VOCALS

LISTEN TO ALL BY MYSELFHERE

 Los Angeles, California - October 7, 2022 - Brazil’s biggest artist and internationally acclaimed DJ Alok, known for colossal collaborations with John Legend, Jason Derulo, Tove Lo, and most recently Ella Eyre for the #1 sound of the Summer "Deep Down," has joined forces with multiplatinum singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding and British DJ/Producer Sigala to release their irresistible new track, "All by Myself." The dance pop anthem brings the timeless sample of Depeche Mode’s "Enjoy The Silence," who were notably impressed with the final result of the song and gave it the honor of its first clearance to be released; available on all digital streaming platforms HERE.

 

A rarity and an honor, Depeche Mode gave Alok, Sigala, and Ellie Goulding the first green light ever to use their “Enjoy The Silence” sample. The sample is used in the drop of "All by Myself," which concentrates all the elements, including Goulding’s glossy vocals and Alok and Sigala’s flawless production, into a smash hit for the Fall season. The holy grail of samples, Alok wanted to use it with the respect the song deserves, and all artists are very pleased with the outcome, turning this release into a top priority for all.

 

Brazilian superstar, voted #4 DJ in the world by DJ Mag with a remarkable 70 million social media followers, music producer and philanthropist Alok is best known for global hit singles like "Hear Me Now” and his chart topping remix of MEDUZA’s “Piece of Your Heart,” for which he won “Best Remix” at the 2020 International Dance Music Awards. Alok was recently in New York city to launch his remarkable climate change partnership with the United Nations’ Global Compact and the Alok Institute. “The Future Is Ancestral” project helped kickoff New York’s Climate Change Week with a series of informative, international panels and a historic first-ever performance on the rooftop of the United Nations headquarters. Alok’s newest track “Deep Down” simultaneously hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance chart and is still climbing the streaming charts.

 

“It was a pleasure to work with Ellie and Sigala on this track and such a huge honor that the electronic music pioneers Depeche Mode liked it enough to give us the legendary “Enjoy The Silence” sample and let us officially release it. We are all so thrilled with how it came out!” - Alok

Ellie Goulding’s empowering vocals have made her a world-renowned artist and have led her to win such accolades as “Best British Female Solo Artist.” Goulding has become one of UK's best-selling female artists with over twenty-three Top 40 singles, including three number ones. Her biggest single “Love Me Like You Do” quickly climbed the U.K. charts to number one and has over 2.2 billion views on YouTube. Her fearless and ethereal vocals have made her the go-to artist for top charting collaborations with artists such as Calvin Harris, Diplo and Big Sean. The pop superstar also sang at the Royal Wedding Reception for Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William. Her latest album Brightest Blue became her fourth RIAA certified Platinum album. Recently, Ellie performed at The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon with her new single Easy Lover feat Big Sean.

 

“It was such an incredible experience to work with Alok and Sigala on this new track - they’re both such unique and amazing artists and coming together was a delight. I hope this song gives people the self-love and power that I felt when writing it. We need to make sure we’re loving and taking care of ourselves so we can receive the same from those around us.” - Ellie Goulding

 

Uniquely renowned for his cheerful dance-pop sound, UK-based DJ and producer Sigalahas made a name for himself as one of the most played British DJs on UK radio. Sigala burst onto the scene with his single Easy Love, a Jackson 5 sampled track that has over 150 million views on YouTube, which quickly topped the U.K. singles chart at number one. Sigala continued to release blazing bright tunes with artists such as Hailee Steinfeld, Craig David and Paloma Faith earning him over seven platinum singles, nine gold singles and ten million worldwide sales. In 2018, Sigala released his highly anticipated debut album Brighter Days, featuring collaborations with Kylie Minogue, Sean Paul, and Meghan Trainor among others. Sigala’s album became the highest charting dance album of 2018 and received the honor of a BRIT certified Silver certification.       

“Such a pleasure to work with such talented individuals, I’ve been wanting to work with Ellie for a while so it’s great to finally collaborate” - Sigala

You may find lyrics to “All By Myself” HERE.

### 

ABOUT ALOK

ALOK is a bonafide dance music superstar, holding the title of the second biggest Instagram following of any electronic artist globally with 28 million followers. On Spotify, Alok concentrates more than 20 million monthly listeners and almost 5 billion streams, making him the most listened to Brazilian artist internationally. In 2021, he was named the 4th Best DJ in the world, according to the prestigious DJ Mag Top 100 DJ Poll. Performing some 320 yearly shows on five continents, Alok is widely regarded as one of the most influential Brazilian artists of all time and is experiencing his breakout moment in the US. From working with and lending his remix work to artists including The Rolling Stones to Zara Larsson, from Jason Derulo to Tove Lo and more, he won the “Best Remix” award at the 2020 International Dance Music Awards for his hit remix of the Meduza’s single ‘Piece of Your Heart’ (over 223 million streams), also partnering with global pop sensation Dua Lipa for the official remix of her hit single ‘Physical’. Recently he collaborated with Grammy award-winning pop sensation John Legend on ‘In My Mind’, also with renegade vocalist John Martin, as well as lending his craft to remix multi-platinum, #1 artist Ed Sheeran.  Alok is also a recognized brand and star, having achieved huge notoriety in the gaming world as a character, with his own name, in the wildly popular game “Free Fire.” Two years ago, he created the Instituto Alok, which manages high-impact philanthropy projects in Brazil and Africa. To date, the institute has donated 10 million dollars to social and environmental projects worldwide.

 

Connect With Alok: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Spotify

 

ABOUT SIGALA

Sigala is the musical nom de plume of Bruce Fielder, a London-based house DJ, producer, and remixer. Launching his career with "Easy Love," a Jackson 5-sampling track which topped the charts in the U.K. in 2015, he continued releasing bright, sunny dance-pop tunes featuring a variety of guest vocalists and producers. His 2018 full-length Brighter Days included collaborations with Kylie Minogue, Craig David, Sean Paul, and Nile Rodgers, among many others. Subsequent tracks featuring Becky Hill ("Wish You Well") and James Arthur ("Lasting Lover") continued his run of U.K. Top Ten hits. "Stay the Night" (with Talia Mar) appeared in 2022. Born and raised in Norfolk, England, Fielder started piano lessons as a child, and played in various bands after graduating university. He found work as a producer, and co-wrote Ella Eyre and Sigma's 2015 U.K. hit single "Good Times." His first solo single as Sigala was "Easy Love," an energetic house tune built around a sample of the Jackson 5's iconic hit "ABC." Released by Ministry of Sound, it entered the U.K. singles chart and shot up to number one in its second week. Fielder's second single, "Sweet Lovin'" (featuring singer/songwriter Bryn Christopher), hit number three and was certified gold or platinum in several countries. Several more hits followed in 2016, including "Say You Do" (featuring Imani and DJ Fresh), "Give Me Your Love" (featuring John Newman and Chic's Nile Rodgers), and "Ain't Giving Up," a collaboration with Craig David that appeared on his sixth album, Following My Intuition. In 2017, Sigala co-produced the single "Show You Love" with Danish DJ Kato, sung by Hailee Steinfeld. He then paired with singer Paloma Faith for the 2018 single "Lullaby." Later that year, Sigala compiled ten of his previously released singles, as well as a handful of album tracks, to make up his debut studio album Brighter Days. Issued by Ministry of Sound, the LP reached number one on the U.K. Dance Albums chart. In 2019, he released the singles "Wish You Well" with Becky Hill, and "We Got Love" featuring Ella Henderson. Another song with Hill, "Heaven on My Mind," appeared in 2020, and "Lasting Lover" (with James Arthur) became Sigala's eighth single to chart in the U.K. Top Ten. In 2021, Sigala released "You for Me" (with Rita Ora) and "Runaway" (with R3hab and JP Cooper). Solo single "Melody" and Talia Mar collaboration "Stay the Night" appeared in 2022.

 

Connect With Sigala: Instagram | Twitter | YouTube |Facebook | Spotify

ABOUT ELLIE GOULDING

Multiplatinum-selling singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding’s career to date includes two GRAMMY Award nominations, a Golden Globe nomination and two BRIT Awards. Her impact is reflected with incredible sales of 22 million albums, over 185 million singles, and 36 billion streams worldwide. Ellie has earned 4 consecutive RIAA certified albums and 20 RIAA certified singles (Gold & Platinum). With over 50 million followers combined on her social platforms, she also earned YouTube’s Diamond Award with 10 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and over 5 billion views globally.

 

Connect With Ellie Goulding: Instagram | Twitter |YouTube | Facebook | Spotify

 Source: Sony Music Philippines

a- ha releases the official video for ‘You Have What It Takes’ from their upcoming ‘True North’ album

STREAM HERE
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE

 

[October 6th, 2022] a-ha return to share their new single ‘You Have What It Takes’, which acts as the latest taster for their forthcoming album True North, which is released on October 21st, 2022.

 

‘You Have What It Takes’ follows recent single ‘I’m In’ and begins a new era for a-ha as they approach their forthcoming album. Their first collection of new songs since 2015’s Cast In Steel is more than a straightforward album, it is also a film capturing the band recording the songs during 2021 in Bodø, the Norwegian city located 90km above the Arctic Circle. “With every album we tweak it, to see if there’s a different way to go about it,” explains Paul. TheTrue North film was screened to audiences this week in over 400 cinemas across 29 countriesand will be available for rental and purchase from 21 October 2022.

 

The beautiful ‘You Have What It Takes’ fees like a-ha at their most vulnerable, with its intricate guitar strings and Morten’s unmistakable vocal. It’s an echo of hope, healing and recovery, uplifting the listener with the line “Don’t be afraid to fail or fall, everyone carries a weight. We learn to walk before we crawl, so do this for all of our sakes. You have what it takes.” The significance of the lyrics resonates globally and feel like strength and comfort against the current backdrop of such unprecedented times.

 

a-ha’s Magne Furoholmen explains, “'Oh, this world, like a wounded bird…’ 

We live in increasingly confusing and volatile times, and there are things we often forget to express enough - to each other, to our children, our loved ones, our friends, and the generation growing up. If we want changes for the better, it starts with people who care enough to stand up for their idealsand for the rest of us to support them. I have great hope for the future when I see the courage and conviction of the young. They have it, and so do you. YOU have what it takes!”

 

With what is their 11th studio album and also a very immediate document of its creation, a-ha have entered a new world. “First, we had the idea to record a studio session live,” says Paul. “Then, to film a studio session. That grew into more of a production with the Norwegian orchestra, the Arctic Philharmonic, who we have collaborated with.” It's all there in the film.

 

In the True North film, a-ha perform and record with the orchestra. Also caught on camera in the landscape around Bodø, Magne, Morten and Paul discuss True North. In recurring vignettes, actors portray life in the north. The multidimensional film describes a narrative arc embodying the spirit of the new songs, showing how all of us are connected to the environment. Long-time a-ha collaborator Stian Andersen is the director. “True North is a letter from a-ha, from the Arctic Circle, a poem from the far north of Norway with new music,” says Magne.

 

The songs on the record are imbued with a sense of place and a deep connection with how we interact with the environment. For the first time, a-ha show us where they are from, who they are, and how the connection between the two is unbreakable. It’s no wonder that True North is a-ha at their most revealing - never before has the spirit of a-ha been so exposed.

 

Balances are struck – between the fresh approach and the qualities inherent to a-ha, between the songs themselves and the overarching concept of True North. ‘You Have What It Takes’' continues this thrilling new chapter for band and nothing encapsulates it better.

 

www.ahatruenorth.com

 

  • The True North album is issued on 21 October 2022. Editions include jewel-case CD; recycled black heavy weight and recycled coloured vinyl’s; various bundles; limited deluxe edition (including a high quality hardcover book including 40 pages, the two recycled black heavy weight vinyl’s in sleeves, the “True North” CD in a cardboard wallet and last but not least, a USB card featuring the “True North” film by Stian Andersen); digital audio long-play for download and streaming. Pre-order is available at ahatruenorth.com, where you can sign up for further information

 

Pre-Order ‘True North’
https://a-ha.lnk.to/TrueNorth

 

 Source: Sony Music Philippines

Woman Writer of the Year 2022

Thank you @ukiyotopublishinghouse for making me your Nonfiction Woman Writer of the Year! It is an honor to be recognized for my book, #imovedforward. It makes me happy that my first ever writing recognition is an international award! 🏆 Please continue supporting me by buying my books on Google Play and via this link. 📕 NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!⚡️ #authorlife

P-Pop girl group KAIA pivot towards a more R&B-driven sound in new single “Dalawa”

The subdued, laid-back track explores unrequited romance with reassuring sweetness

P-Pop girl group KAIA explores a more R&B-leaning direction in their new single “Dalawa,” released under Sony Music Entertainment.

Standing out in sublime contrast with their previous releases, the five-member act’s smooth jam alludes to the idea of expressing infatuation in the most reassuring, youthful way.

“Dalawa is a song that tells a story familiar to many: catching unrequited feelings for someone close to you,” describes the eclectic pop quintet. “While it veers away from the upbeat, dance-pop tunes that we’ve been dishing out since our debut, this particular material sticks to our strengths as a girl group.”

Brimming with 2000s-indebted R&B melodies and whimsical beats, “Dalawa” embraces stylistic adventurousness with effortlessness that doesn’t overwhelm the vocals. The track is written and produced by Jayson Franz, who brings a mellow yet groovy direction to the Filipino group’s sound.

“I wanted a different approach for KAIA this time around, but I made sure to take into consideration their individual and collective personalities,” shares Franz. “I’ve added some string instruments and other sonic elements to help elevate the arrangements. But more importantly, the groove that I was trying to achieve was leaning towards Y2K R&B: simple, yet melodically interesting.”

According to Franz, KAIA was also heavily involved with the demo recording, making sure to relay their own inputs on vocal arrangements and the overall vibe of the song. “One of the memorable moments during the recording of the track was the first run of every member of KAIA,” adds Franz. “It was that moment when everyone knew that the song was really made for them. Each one of them has an own personality or taste in terms of the delivery of their lines.”

KAIA’s “Dalawa” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Source: Nyou

ADB PLANS $14 BILLION TO EASE FOOD CRISIS, PROMOTE LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (27 September 2022)—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced plans to provide at least $14 billion over 2022–2025 in a comprehensive program of support to ease a worsening food crisis in Asia and the Pacific, and improve long-term food security by strengthening food systems against the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. The assistance expands ADB’s already significant support for food security in the region, where nearly 1.1 billion people lack healthy diets due to poverty and food prices which have soared to record highs this year. The funding will be channeled through existing and new projects in sectors including farm inputs, food production and distribution, social protection, irrigation, and water resources management, as well as projects leveraging nature-based solutions. ADB will continue to invest in other activities which contribute to food security such as energy transition, transport, access to rural finance, environmental management, health, and education. “This is a timely and urgently needed response to a crisis that is leaving too many poor families in Asia hungry and in deeper poverty,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, in remarks at ADB’s 55thAnnual Meeting. “We need to act now, before the impacts of climate change worsen and further erode the region’s hard-won development gains. Our support will be targeted, integrated, and impactful to help vulnerable people, particularly vulnerable women, in the near-term, while bolstering food systems to reduce the impact of emerging and future food security risks. ”The Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted supplies of food staples and fertilizer, straining a global food system already weakened by climate change impacts, pandemic-related supply shocks, and unsustainable farming practices. Asia and the Pacific is vulnerable to food shocks, as some of its countries depend on imported staples and fertilizer. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, nutritious food was unaffordable for significant portions of the population in many ADB low-income member countries. As well as supporting vulnerable people, ADB’s food security assistance will promote open trade, improve small holder farm production and livelihoods, ease shortages of fertilizer and promote its efficient use or organic alternatives, support investments in food production and distribution, enhance nutrition, and boost climate resilience through integrated and nature-based solutions. A key focus will be to protect the region’s natural environment from climate change impacts and biodiversity loss, which have degraded soils, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

.“An important part of our long-term approach is to safeguard natural resources and support farmers and agribusinesses which produce and distribute much of the region’s food, and to promote open trade to ensure it reaches consumers efficiently,” said Mr. Asakawa. Assistance under the program will start this year and continue through 2025. It will be drawn from across ADB’s sovereign and private sector operations, and seek to leverage an additional $5billion in private sector cofinancing for food security. ADB will apply lessons learned from supporting its members during the global food crisis in 2007–2008 and through the implementation of its food security operational plan the following year. Since then, ADB has provided $2 billion in annual investments in food security. In 2018,ADB identified food security as a key operational priority. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB