Swiss participation in the Asian Development Fund

Switzerland is a long-standing partner of the Asian Development Fund (ADF). Since 1973 the ADF has assisted the poorest developing countries in the region through long-term concessional loans and grant financing for development projects. Member countries regularly replenish the fund's resources with additional contributions.

The ADF has a total volume of USD 12.4 billion over the next four years (2013-2016). Switzerland's contribution for this four-year period is CHF 48 million. The fund will concentrate on inclusive, sustainable growth and regional integration, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, financial sector development, education and the environment. Switzerland's continued participation in the ADF, a central pillar of the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, is based on its positive cooperation experience to date.

Thanks to ADF support, more than 19 million schoolchildren in Asia and the Pacific have had access to education between 2005 and 2011. More than 60,000 classrooms were built or upgraded, and 720,000 teachers were trained. In addition, the construction or rehabilitation of more than 56,000 km of roads has given more than 250 million people new economic opportunities and improved access to social services. Over 2.1 million households have been given access to clean water through the installation or renovation of 14,000 km of water supply pipes. Project financing for more efficient and cleaner energy operations has reduced emissions by two million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Further information:

Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank ADB
Asian Development Fund (ADF)
The Asian Development Fund Operations: A Decade of Supporting Poverty Reduction in the Asia and Pacific Region

Address for enquiries:

Daniel Birchmeier, Head of Multilateral Cooperation at SECO, Tel. 031 324 08 19

Pradeep Itty, Head of East Asia Division at SDC, Tel. 031 322 34 16

Publisher:

The Federal Council
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs