The Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank (AsDB) supports the Asia and Pacific region in efforts to reduce poverty, improve living conditions and tackle climate change.
Role and activities of the AsDB
The AsDB is committed to sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region by providing its members with loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments.
The AsDB has set the following priorities:
- Reducing poverty and inequalities;
- Strengthening resilience to the effects of climate change and natural disasters;
- Promoting urban development;
- Promoting rural development;
- Strengthening governance;
- Fostering regional cooperation and
- Ensuring gender equality.
Through the Asian Development Fund (AsDF), the bank can also provide the poorest developing countries with grants. The funds come mainly from contributions by the AsDB member countries, mobilized through regular replenishments, and income of the bank.
Switzerland and the AsDB
Switzerland has been a member of the AsDB since 1967 and has supported the AsDF since its creation in 1974. The mandate of the AsDB is in line with Switzerland’s objectives: both are committed to reducing poverty and inequality and to promoting sustainable development.
Switzerland shares a constituency with Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, which holds one seat on the Board of Directors. In addition to institutional cooperation, Switzerland and the AsDB also work together at an operational level.
Switzerland is committed to the following priorities:
- Results-oriented, effective and targeted financing of development projects according to the AsDB’s expertise and priorities;
- Deepening systematic cooperation with other development partners, in particular with multilateral development banks;
- Ensuring compliance with international environmental, social and governance standards;
- Supporting countries in their transition away from fossil fuels and
- Ensuring adequate capitalisation and maintaining the AAA credit rating.
Switzerland's long-standing commitment to the AsDF
Switzerland's contribution to the AsDF helps to tackle global challenges in the poorest countries in the region. Since its establishment, the AsDF has provided over 85 billion US dollars to 36 developing countries. For the years 2025–28, Switzerland is providing ten million Swiss francs to the AsDF to support a development agenda that includes poverty reduction, political reform and economic and social development. Between 2021 and 2024, almost six million people gained access to better healthcare, education and social protection. In addition, 3.6 million people benefited from improved services in urban areas and 11,000 skilled jobs were created for women.