Manila, October 20 (AseanAll)  — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $3 billion sovereign exposure exchange agreement (EEA) with the World Bank to increase ADB’s lending capacity for its developing member countries.

World Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer Anshula Kant and ADB Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management Roberta Casali during the signing ceremony at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.

The agreement is ADB’s first EEA with the World Bank and its sixth EEA with other multilateral development banks (MDBs) since 2020, bringing the cumulative exchanged amount to $9 billion. 

“In an era of overlapping challenges, strategic collaboration among MDBs has never been more critical," said ADB Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management Roberta Casali. "Exposure exchanges can be transformative because they will allow us to work together systemically, reduce concentration risk, and expand our reach precisely when our member countries need us the most."

“This EEA with ADB demonstrates the World Bank’s strong commitment to work hand in hand with other MDBs to utilize every opportunity to expand the overall lending capacity in the MDB sector,” said Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Financial Officer Anshula Kant.

A sovereign exposure exchange is a risk management tool to reduce portfolio concentration risks. It provides capital relief for sovereign-focused MDBs by exchanging concentrated loan exposures with exposure to countries where their credit exposure is less or nonexistent. By lowering exposure concentration, ADB reduces its capital usage, thereby increasing its lending capacity. It also lowers the net exposure to borrowers included in the exchanges, providing additional borrowing headroom under ADB’s limits framework.

ADB continuously explores ways to effectively manage its capital to help the region address simultaneous crises. In 2023, it unlocked $100 billion in additional lending capacity over the next decade by updating its Capital Adequacy Framework.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable 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.