Where is the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) located?

Introduction / Context:
International financial institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank frequently appear in competitive examinations. This question asks you to identify the city that hosts the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a key regional development bank focusing on Asia and the Pacific.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The institution in question is the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• We must select the city where ADB's headquarters are located.
• The options list four major Asian cities: Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Concept / Approach:
ADB was founded in the 1960s to promote economic and social progress in Asia. While many might guess any prominent Asian city, it is important to memorize the specific headquarters city. The official and widely-known fact is that the ADB headquarters are located in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Therefore, the answer is Manila, not Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) or Jakarta (Indonesia).

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the full name – Asian Development Bank (ADB).Step 2: Remember standard GK pairs: “World Bank – Washington, D.C.”, “IMF – Washington, D.C.”, “ADB – Manila”.Step 3: Among the options, identify the city linked to the Philippines – Manila.Step 4: Confirm that ADB's organisational structure and official documents place its headquarters in Manila.Step 5: Conclude that Manila is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on international organisations and many exam-preparation guides include a list of development banks and their headquarters. These consistently list Manila as the base for ADB operations. You can also use a memory trick: the letter “M” appears in both “ADB Member Asia–Manila”, helping you connect ADB to Manila rather than Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Bangkok: Capital of Thailand and a major regional hub, but not the official seat of ADB headquarters.
• Kuala Lumpur: Capital of Malaysia; home to several regional offices and corporations but not ADB's main headquarters.
• Jakarta: Capital of Indonesia; again, an important Southeast Asian city, but not associated as the ADB HQ location.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all options are major Asian capitals, candidates sometimes guess based on perceived economic prominence rather than actual facts. Confusing ADB with ASEAN can also lead to wrong answers (ASEAN Secretariat is in Jakarta). To avoid this, directly memorize “ADB – Manila, Philippines” as a fixed combination.

Final Answer:
The headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are located in Manila.