Date: 10 November 2025, 12:00 – 14:00
Venue: Blue Zone, Special Event Room 3 – Theatre
Speaker: Vice President and Chief Risk Officer Dr. Rajiv Ranjan
Chair, thank you very much.
It is a privilege to join fellow MDB colleagues as we collectively advance climate adaptation efforts. I welcome the opportunity to share perspectives on the New Development Bank (NDB, or the Bank)’s continuous support for adaptation in our member countries.
The NDB was established as the outcome of BRICS leaders’ vision to mobilize resources for sustainable infrastructure and development in BRICS and other emerging economies. This year, as NDB marks its tenth anniversary, the Bank has approved over USD 40 billion for more than 120 projects, demonstrating robust impact and reach across sectors.
NDB’s approach is fundamentally demand-driven. We put great emphasis on respecting countries’ aspirations, capacities, and evolving development priorities. Our support for the Paris Agreement is grounded in the specific needs and goals of our member countries, including their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Under the Bank’s strategy for 2022-2026, we have committed to a 40% climate finance target, and we are on track to deliver it.
At NDB, we prioritize adaptation through climate resilient infrastructure, integrating climate and disaster risk considerations into the very fabric of our projects. In India, our interventions have included nature-based solutions—such as the creation of green space and biodiversity zones—to restore waterbodies and withstand floods. In China, advanced engineering designs have been implemented to strengthen road infrastructure against extreme floods and landslides. To further mainstream climate adaptation, NDB is developing climate risk assessment tools to foster deeper understanding of exposure and impact across projects.
Beyond financing, NDB helps clients prepare bankable adaptation projects. Through our Project Preparation Fund, we empower analysis of climate risks and vulnerabilities, as seen in water supply projects serving drought-affected communities. The Bank also actively promotes green technology transfer and collaboration across our member countries. For instance, South African partners have leveraged NDB’s platform to access and implement sophisticated water management technologies from China. Such partnerships illustrate the practical value of international cooperation for adaptation.
In closing, NDB looks forward to deepening collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. Our engagement will be shaped by a readiness to listen and act on the specific needs and aspirations of countries and communities. As we prepare for our forthcoming general strategy, NDB is committed to a consultative and responsive approach, ensuring that our support is tailored to real challenges and priorities arising from the countries themselves.
Thank you.