Japan and ADB Launch WISER Fund to Tackle Asia’s Water Crisis

With more than four out of every ten global flood events hitting Asia and the Pacific, Japan has pledged $10 million to launch the Water Initiative for Security, Efficiency and Resilience. The fund aims to combat the worsening threats posed by climate change, rapid urbanization, and persistent infrastructure gaps.

Editorial·July 22, 2026·reads: 282

Japan and ADB Launch WISER Fund to Tackle Asia’s Water Crisis

The WISER Fund targets the region’s critical water security needs by deploying digital management technologies and improving disaster preparedness. Despite recent progress, roughly 220 million people in the region lack basic drinking water, while 520 million remain without access to sanitation. The initiative will focus on technical training, policy reform, and project preparation to help developing member nations modernize their water systems.

ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that reliable water infrastructure remains a prerequisite for economic growth and renewable energy expansion. Japan’s Minister of Finance, Satsuki Katayama, noted that Tokyo will provide technical expertise in leak reduction and sewerage management to support these goals. This new financial vehicle complements the bank's broader Water Forward initiative, which seeks to provide safe water, sanitation, and irrigation to 100 million people by 2030, building on the $12.7 billion already committed to the sector between 2021 and 2025.