{
  "id": 10441556,
  "title": "AIIB plans to double financing by 2030. Can it bridge Asia’s infrastructure gap?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/aiib-plans-to-double-financing-by-2030-can-it-bridge-asias-10441556",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-28T12:09:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Business",
    "slug": "scmp-business",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3369088/aiib-plans-double-financing-2030-can-it-bridge-asias-infrastructure-gap"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has announced plans to double its annual financing to around US$20 billion by 2030, as it marks its second decade in existence. This announcement was made by the bank's president, Zou Jiayi, at the opening of the bank's 11th annual meeting held in Doha, Qatar. Zou highlighted that member economies have consistently expressed a strong need for increased project funding, particularly for infrastructure development. She has personally visited around 30 member countries since assuming her role.\n\nZou, a former vice-minister of finance in China, emphasized that modern infrastructure is viewed as a \"force of transformation\" by member states, capable of driving long-term economic growth rather than merely being physical assets. The AIIB has outlined its policy roadmap for the upcoming phase, with a focus on projects related to climate resilience, renewable energy, digital transformation, regional connectivity, conservation, and development aimed at improving citizens' lives. Zou introduced a framework centred around the \"triple I’s\": impact, innovation, and integrity. This will involve improving project quality, advancing climate action, adapting financial instruments and business models, and maintaining rigorous banking standards.\n\nHowever, Zou acknowledged that bridging Asia's vast infrastructure funding gap would require resources beyond what governments alone can provide. She stressed that the bank would need to attract more private investment and deepen partnerships with other multilateral and bilateral institutions to fund these projects collectively. Established in 2016, the AIIB has striven to promote sustainable development across Asia and beyond, initially positioning itself as a potential alternative to Western-dominated financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Over its first decade, the bank has expanded its membership to 111 economies and approved over US$79 billion in financing for 400 projects, maintaining top AAA credit ratings from major global agencies.\n\nLooking forward, Zou pointed out that traditional infrastructure sectors like roads, railways, ports, and airports are increasingly integrating digital technology and artificial intelligence. She called for universal access to AI capabilities, stating that technology should benefit all, not just a select few. This requires significant investments in national data infrastructure. Zou also stressed the urgency of incorporating climate adaptation measures into projects, citing the recent deadly floods in Nepal as a stark reminder of the need to prepare for climate impacts as much as to reduce carbon emissions. Despite the varied geopolitical perspectives among its diverse membership, Zou affirmed the bank's commitment to consensus-building and dialogue, reiterating that multilateralism serves as \"the infrastructure for building trust.\" Zou reiterated the bank's focus on prioritising economic development, stating that \"development must return to the top of the global agenda,\" and that such progress can only be achieved through cooperation.",
  "summary": "The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) plans to double its annual financing to about US$20 billion by 2030 as the Beijing-headquartered multilateral lender enters its second decade, its president said on Monday. Announcing the target at the opening of the bank’s 11th annual meeting in Doha, Qatar, AIIB President Zou Jiayi said member economies had voiced a “remarkably consistent” need…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "AIIB plans to double financing by 2030. Can it bridge Asia’s infrastructure gap?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/aiib-plans-to-double-financing-by-2030-can-it-bridge-asias",
        "published": "2026-09-28T12:09:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Doha News",
        "title": "AIIB opens annual meeting in Doha with plans to double financing by 2030",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/aiib-opens-annual-meeting-in-doha-with-plans-to-double-financing-by",
        "published": "2026-09-28T14:13:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}