Which one of the following launched the 'Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific'?
- (a) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- (c) The New Development Bank (NDB)
- (d) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Why the answer is (a)
• The Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific was launched by the Asian Development Bank in 2024 to mobilise finance for nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration, watershed protection and sustainable agriculture.
• It aims to raise at least US$2 billion by 2030, blending ADB capital with private and philanthropic funds and developing bankable nature projects.
• The AIIB and the New Development Bank are also multilateral lenders active in Asia but did not launch this hub.
• The IBRD is the World Bank's main lending arm and has separate global initiatives on nature finance.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- The AIIB did not launch this hub.
- (c) The New Development Bank (NDB)
- The New Development Bank did not launch this hub.
- (d) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
- The IBRD is not the sponsor of this Asia-Pacific hub.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.