Emma M. Veve

Emma M. Veve is Director of Urban, Social Development and Public Management Division in the Pacific Department of the Asian Development Bank, a position she has held since 2014.

The division is responsible for support for public financial management across all the 14 Pacific developing member countries. The frequency of natural disasters in the region creates a challenge for sound fiscal management. Emma has overseen the development of policy based lending as a tool to provide contingent finance to countries post disaster. Forward priorities include building country disaster resilience within critical sectors (such as education, health, and water) and seeking to create a sustainable source of contingent financing that is owned by the region and leverages contributions from a broad group of development partners.

She joined ADB in 2005 following a period as Economic Adviser with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji. Prior to this she held various positions in the Australian commonwealth public service, predominantly in economic research. She completed a double degree in agricultural science and economics from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia and holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.