Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has returned to Nepal after attending the 11th annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investement Banak (AIIB) in Doha, Qatar. He arrived in Kathmandu in 8:45 am on Wednesday morning on a Qatar Airways flight.
During the meeting, Nepal was elected vice-chair of the AIIB Board of Governors for 2026-27, giving it a formal leadership role in the bank's governance. Minister Wagle also held bilateral talks with AIIB president Jin Liqun to seek greater investment in Nepal's infrastructure, cllimate adaptation, renewable energy and post-disaster reconstruction.
Wagle left for Doha on 26 Sep to take part in the meeting which was held 28-29 September under the theme " Tomorrow's Infrastructure:Impact and Innovation." He participated as Nepal's governor on the AIIB Board of Governors.
The meeting brought together finance ministers, central bank governors and senior officials from AIIB member countries to discuss infrastructure investment, climate finance, innovation and development cooperation. Wagle used the platform to present Nepal's priorities for post-flood reconstruction, infrastructure development and climate-resilient growth.
During his visit, Wagle met AIIB president Jin Liqun and discussed expanding the bank's investment in Nepal. He requested support for reconstruction after the recent Bhotekoshi flood, as well as for renewable energy, transport infrastructure and climate adaptation projects.
Wagle also called for making AIIB financing more concessional and better suited to the needs of countries like Nepal. He argued that mobilising domestic and foreign private capital through blended finance could help close the gap between infrastructure needs and available funding.
The election of Nepal as vice-chair of the Board of Governors for 2026-27 gives Nepal a formal role in shaping the bank's strategic direction and priorities. It also provides an opportunity to advocate for the interests of least- developed and climate-vulnureable countries within the AIIB.
The finance ministry describes the visit as fruitful for Nepal's infrastructure development, technology transfer and cooperation and other member countries. Wagle's delegation included Amrit Lamsal, joint secretary and chief of the International Economic Relations Division.
Wagle’s return marks the end of Nepal’s formal engagement in this year’s AIIB annual meeting, but the outcomes,especially the vice-chair election and bilateral discussions with the bank’s leadership are expected to influence Nepal’s access to infrastructure and climate finance in the coming years.
