Cali: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued its inaugural biodiversity and nature bond to fund eligible conservation projects across Asia and the Pacific, Trend reports via the ADB.

According to Trend News Agency, the A$150 million (US$100 million equivalent), 10-year bond was purchased by Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited, and arranged by Crédit Agricole CIB. This issuance is part of ADB’s Theme Bonds for Sustainable Development program, organized alongside its Environment group to advance key environmental goals.

ADB’s theme bonds play a critical role in attracting private investment in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Supported by ADB’s AAA credit rating, these bonds offer investors a secure and impactful investment option.

With a longstanding commitment to biodiversity protection, ADB has been a driving force in initiatives like the Coral Triangle Initiative since 2009, supporting vital marine ecosystems. More re
cently, ADB helped launch the Nature Solutions Finance Hub and the Natural Capital Fund in 2023, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility. This new bond was announced at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia, underscoring ADB’s continued role in global conservation efforts.