MANILA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) vowed on Tuesday to help countries and regions of Asia and the Pacific leverage digital technologies for development, saying digital technology is rapidly developing in diverse fields.

ADB President Takehiko Nakao said at 2018 Digital Development Forum that new tools like mobile communications, robotics, and artificial intelligence are bringing profound changes to the way people live, work, interact and do business.

To help countries leverage digital technologies for development, Nakao said ADB created the Digital Technology for Development Unit in March 2018. The Manila-based bank is also implementing new digital reforms that focus on innovation and support dramatic modernization of business processes, he added.

With appropriate policies, Nakao said the developing countries and regions of Asia and the Pacific stand to benefit tremendously in this new era. "I see great opportunities, as well as challenges," he said.

The two-day forum provides a venue for high-level discussions on the use of information and communications technology (ICT) for development in region.

During the forum, ADB will sign a cooperation agreement with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to collaborate on research and development of innovation programs and activities, and capacity building and the promotion of innovation programs at both institutions.