James Villafuerte is the Regional Lead Economist of the Southeast Asia Department at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where he leads the ASEAN Policy Network and conducts research on regional economic trends, policy impacts, and thematic issues such as green economy, digitalization, and infrastructure financing. With extensive experience across ADB, the World Bank, and the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance in Australia, he has played a central role in economic surveillance, country diagnostics, and project impact assessments. He is a prolific author and editor, contributing to books, journals, and numerous ADB reports, including ASEAN and Global Value Chains, Reinvigorating Financing Approaches for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, and Southeast Asia: Rising from the Pandemic. His published work spans economic integration, public finance, digital economies, and green transitions. Villafuerte frequently contributes policy insights to regional media and international forums, helping shape dialogue on inclusive and sustainable development in Asia.