Tokyo, July 21(AseanAll) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan on 21 July 2026 established a new fund to strengthen water security and protect people across Asia and the Pacific from worsening floods, droughts, and other water-related shocks. Japan will make an initial $10 million contribution to the fund.
ADB President Masato Kanda and Japan’s Minister of Finance Satsuki Katayama during the signing ceremony for the WISER Fund in Tokyo, Japan.
“There is nothing more basic to life, or more decisive for development, than water,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “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. Water is also a clean, reliable source of hydropower, and in today’s energy markets that matters more than ever. Asia and the Pacific has shown that progress is possible. Now we must move faster, invest smarter, and make water security the foundation of a more resilient future.”
ADB and the Government of Japan created the Water Initiative for Security, Efficiency and Resilience (WISER) Fund. The fund will help ADB developing member countries strengthen water systems, reduce disaster risks, improve water-use efficiency, and apply digital and innovative solutions to water challenges.
Japan’s Minister of Finance Satsuki Katayama said, “Investment in the water sector is indispensable to the sustainable development of the region and to improving people’s lives. Japan highly values the role ADB has played in addressing development challenges, and, with strong expectations for ADB’s further actions, has decided to contribute $10 million to the WISER Fund.”
“Japan has extensive experience in areas such as reducing water leakage, operating water supply and sewerage systems efficiently, improving sanitation, and responding to water-related disasters,” she said. “Japan will share this knowledge and expertise with the people of the region through ADB. We hope that the establishment of this fund will build additional momentum for cooperation toward the 2027 ADB Annual Meeting in Aichi-Nagoya, and lead to stronger collaboration between ADB and Japan.”
Asia and the Pacific is the world’s most affected region for floods, storms, and droughts, with more than four in 10 global flood events occurring in Asia. About 220 million people in the region still lack basic water supply, and about 520 million lack basic sanitation. According to ADB’s latest Asian Water Development Outlook, 2.7 billion people in the region have been lifted from extreme water insecurity since 2013, but hard-won gains could be at risk due to environmental degradation, increased water-related hazards, and a shortfall in infrastructure investments.
The WISER Fund will draw on Japan’s long experience in water-related disaster risk management, resilient and efficient water infrastructure, digital innovation, and capacity development. It will support project preparation, policy reform, technical training, knowledge sharing, and stronger water governance across the region.
From 2021 to 2025, ADB committed $12.7 billion to the water sector, benefiting about 63 million people. Its work includes support for water sector reforms in Sri Lanka; investment in Maynilad Water Services in the Philippines alongside the International Finance Corporation; the Glaciers to Farms initiative across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan; and wastewater treatment expansion in Fiji to protect marine ecosystems and strengthen resilience.
ADB is aiming to reach 100 million people from 2026 to 2030 with safe water, sanitation, irrigation, greater resilience, and other water benefits as part of Water Forward, a global initiative promoting water security.
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.
