30 May 2025, Manila — The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have entered into a strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ADB Water and Urban Development Forum (AWUF 2025). The agreement was formalised during the plenary session titled “Building Better Futures: Harnessing Innovation for Efficiency, Equity, and Inclusivity”, held at ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li and Mr. Norio Saito, Senior Director of the Water and Urban Development Sector Office at ADB, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions. The MoU reflects a shared commitment to foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient water and urban development in Asia and the Pacific.
“This MoU establishes a dynamic partnership with AIT to accelerate our collective progress on SDG 6,” said Mr. Saito. “By pooling our expertise in inclusive sanitation and wastewater management, and kick-starting joint workshops and training in seven priority countries, we will create a scalable platform for sharing best practices—and then expand that impact across all our member countries.”
President Pai-Chi Li hailed the MoU as a significant step toward aligning academic research with practical development outcomes. He expressed confidence that, through this partnership, policy and science will converge to accelerate solutions for the region’s most pressing water challenges. “By bridging the gap between policy, science, and technology, we can empower their use, promote innovation, and together deliver real impact for communities in need,” he stated.
The collaboration will be implemented through AIT’s Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC), established in 2022 with the support of the Gates Foundation. GWSC has already made notable contributions, including:
- leveraging $0.5 billion and influencing $1.8 billion in investment from ADB, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to support Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) and Fecal Sludge Management (FSM);
- Supporting over 15 countries with water and sanitation project design and implementation through its Technical Assistance Hub;
- Enhancing water and sanitation governance in Bangladesh and Nepal through the Data Innovation Hub.
The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation, including:
- Joint capacity development programs for ADB staff and government officials;
- Technical support for WASH projects, including the use of AIT’s TA Hub and consultant networks;
- Data-driven monitoring of SDG 6 progress;
- Co-organization of global knowledge events and policy dialogues;
- Collaborative efforts in climate change adaptation, digital public infrastructure, and impact evaluation.
Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, and Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology and Co-Director of GWSC, were acknowledged for their key roles in advancing the centre’s impact and strategic outreach. Appreciation was also extended to Dr. Satoshi Ishii, Director, Strategy and Partnerships Team and Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist at ADB, for their steadfast support in building this collaboration.
Through this partnership, AIT and ADB aim to bridge science and policy, nurture the next generation of changemakers, and amplify regional cooperation in delivering innovative, scalable, and inclusive solutions to urban and water challenges.
AWUF 2025 brought together over 600 delegates from 73 countries. Economists, engineers, and urban planners presented solutions for valuing water and enhancing livability. Developing member countries and bank representatives, along with development partners, discussed ADB’s valuable role in development efforts that extend beyond finance. Old partnerships were nurtured, and new partnerships took root. Throughout the forum, the atmosphere in the Innovation Fair buzzed with connections, conversations, and opportunities for collaboration.
