ADB, Germany expand partnership to scale nature finance across Asia and Pacific
The Government of Germany has joined the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Nature Solutions Finance Hub as a financing partner, providing €5.5 million ($6.5 million) in grant cofinancing. The contribution will help scale up efforts to protect, manage, and restore biodiversity and ecosystems across Asia and the Pacific, Qazinform News Agency cites ADB's press service.
“Nature is central to inclusive growth, resilience, and long-term development in Asia and the Pacific,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “Germany’s commitment strengthens a growing coalition of partners working to scale up nature investments through coordinated action and innovative financing approaches. Together, we are moving from ambition to delivery.”
Germany’s financing is provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The announcement coincided with the signing of an implementation agreement between ADB and GIZ to formalize the partnership.
“Germany is a proud partner of the Nature Solutions Finance Hub,” said Parliamentary State Secretary of BMZ and ADB Governor for Germany Johann Saathoff. “Through this partnership, we are combining German technical and financial experience with ADB’s regional reach and expertise to deliver nature-based solutions that address biodiversity and climate challenges across Asia and the Pacific.”
Launched in 2023, the Nature Solutions Finance Hub aims to catalyze at least $5 billion in nature-positive investments by 2030. It addresses two key barriers to scaling up nature finance: a shortage of bankable investment projects and limited financial instruments to attract private capital at scale.
In addition to Germany, partners include Agence Française de Développement, the European Union, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Global Environment Facility, and ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility’s funds supported by the United Kingdom and the Green Climate Fund, as well as technical partners.
The Hub is supporting nearly 20 ADB pipeline projects with a focus on nature-based solutions. These include flood resilience in the Philippines, coastal ecosystem management in Thailand, river basin restoration in Bangladesh, and watershed rehabilitation in Uzbekistan.
As highlighted in ADB’s Asia-Pacific Climate Report: Unlocking Nature for Development, about 75% of the region’s gross domestic product comes from sectors that are moderately or heavily dependent on nature, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism. Yet the global nature finance gap exceeds $900 billion annually. The Hub represents a new partnership model to reduce the financing gap and scale nature investments in the region.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
As previously reported, ADB launched an initiative to build Asia’s critical minerals supply chains.
