Kathmandu, Nov. 5
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank
Group’s International Development Association (IDA), and the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) have signed a three-year Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) reaffirming their shared commitment to support the
Government of Nepal in strengthening disaster risk reduction and management and
building climate-resilient infrastructure.
“Nepal faces increasing threats from climate-induced hazards such as
floods, droughts, landslides, and glacier melt, which continue to cause severe
human and economic losses and displace communities,” they said in a joint
statement on Wednesday.
Nature-dependent sectors, including hydropower—vital to the country’s
economic growth—are particularly vulnerable to these impacts.
“Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster risk
management has never been more critical. These investments will not only
strengthen communities and safeguard essential assets but also create jobs and
foster long-term economic growth,” said Arnaud Cauchois, ADB Country Director
for Nepal. He added that through strengthened coordination and technical
cooperation, ADB, IDA, and SDC aim to support Nepal in building resilience to
climate impacts and ensuring that investments bring lasting benefits to people
across the country.
The partner agencies have expressed their intention to collaborate in
supporting the Government of Nepal in developing resilient infrastructure and
advancing planned and existing investments, including in the hydropower sector,
within the Dudh Koshi River Basin in Koshi Province.
“As one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate shocks and
natural disasters, building resilience is an imperative for Nepal. By joining
forces, the ADB, World Bank, and SDC intend to leverage our collective
expertise, resources, and commitment to support Nepal’s sustainable
development,” said David Sislen, World Bank Division Director for Maldives,
Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
According to the development agencies involved in the initiative, the
partnership aims to strengthen Nepal’s disaster resilience by enhancing
multi-hazard risk assessment models, establishing comprehensive early warning
systems, advancing climate risk management and financial services for
climate-resilient infrastructure, and promoting knowledge sharing and
awareness.
It will also emphasise joint analytical work, capacity building,
institutional strengthening, and close technical collaboration with the
Government of Nepal and local stakeholders.
“Switzerland is strongly committed to fostering resilience and
sustainable development in Nepal. Through this partnership, a dedicated Swiss
team of experts from academia and the private sector will be mobilised to
engage with Nepali counterparts, ADB, and IDA to co-develop innovative
solutions for disaster risk reduction and climate-resilient infrastructure,”
said Ambassador Arno Wicki, SDC Assistant Director General and Head of the
Division for Asia – Americas.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 November 2025.
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