ঢাকামঙ্গলবার , ২১ জুলাই ২০২৬
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan have launched a new Water Initiative for Security, Efficiency and Resilience (WISER) Fund to strengthen water security and help countries across Asia and the Pacific respond to growing threats from floods, droughts, and other water-related disasters.
Japan will provide an initial $10 million contribution to the fund, according to an ADB statement issued on Tuesday.
ADB President Masato Kanda said water is fundamental to both human life and economic development, warning that weak water systems can disrupt agriculture, businesses, education, and livelihoods.
“When water systems fail, crops dry out, businesses slow, children miss school, and families become more vulnerable. When water is managed well, communities thrive, investment follows, and economies grow,” Kanda said.
He added that the region has made significant progress in improving water security but stressed the need for faster investment and smarter water management to build resilience against climate-related challenges.
The newly established WISER Fund will support ADB’s developing member countries in strengthening water infrastructure, reducing disaster risks, improving water-use efficiency, and adopting digital and innovative technologies to address water-related challenges. The fund will also finance project preparation, policy reforms, technical training, knowledge sharing, and improved water governance.
Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama described investment in the water sector as essential for sustainable development and improving people’s quality of life.
She said Japan has extensive expertise in water supply management, sanitation, sewerage systems, and disaster response, adding that the country will share its knowledge and technology with developing economies through ADB.
According to ADB, Asia and the Pacific remain the world’s most disaster-prone region for floods, storms, and droughts, accounting for more than 40% of global flood events. Around 220 million people in the region still lack access to basic water services, while 520 million do not have basic sanitation facilities.
ADB’s latest Asian Water Development Outlook notes that although 2.7 billion people have escaped extreme water insecurity since 2013, progress remains at risk due to environmental degradation, increasing water-related hazards, and insufficient infrastructure investment.
Between 2021 and 2025, ADB committed $12.7 billion to water-sector projects benefiting approximately 63 million people. The bank has also set a target of reaching 100 million people with safe water, sanitation, irrigation, and climate-resilient water services between 2026 and 2030 under its global Water Forward initiative.
