April 05, 2019 | 17:36 (GMT+7)
ASEAN, ADB launch initiative to support green infrastructure projects
Southeast Asian governments, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and major development financiers on April 4 launched a new initiative to invest more than USD 1 billion in green infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia.
The “ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility” initiative was kick-started at a meeting between Thailand’s Minister of Finance Apisak Tantivorawong, ADB President Takehiko Nakao, and senior officials from ASEAN and private sector partners in Chiang Rai, Thailand, on April 4-5.
It provides loans and necessary technical assistance for sovereign green infrastructure projects such as sustainable transport, clean energy, and resilient water systems.
The facility will mobilize a total of USD 1 billion including USD 75 million from the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF), USD 300 million from ADB, EUR 300 million (USD 336 million) from German Development Bank KfW, EUR 150 million from the European Investment Bank, and EUR 150 million from Agence Française de Développement.
ADB President Takehiko Nakao said that through the facility, ADB will support ASEAN governments in developing green and climate-friendly infrastructure projects that will contribute to fighting climate change, improving the quality of air and water, and reducing environmental degradation across the region.
The facility is part of a new “Green and Inclusive Infrastructure Window” under the AIF, a regional financing initiative established by ASEAN governments and ADB in 2011 and administered by ADB.
Source: VNA