The 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors was held in Beijing June 24-26, 2025. As AIIB approaches its 10th anniversary, this year’s meeting served as a fitting platform to reflect on the Bank’s progress and set the stage for future partnerships. Public seminars, Marketplace sessions, and signing ceremonies reflected the theme, “Connecting for Development, Collaborating for Prosperity,” underscoring the central role of cooperation in infrastructure development and sustainable growth.
AIIB President Jin Liqun captured the spirit of the Bank’s first decade: “Over its first decade, AIIB has built and sustained its reputation as a pillar of multilateralism, a steadfast supporter of regional and global connectivity, and a champion of cooperation between developed and developing economies.” This sentiment echoed throughout the public seminars. The flagship session, From Vision to Reality: Driving Cross-Border Connectivity through Private Investment, emphasized that cross-border connectivity, regional cooperation, and private-sector engagement are vital to enabling trade. Participants also identified the need for multilateral development banks (MDBs) to work more closely with governments across the world.
A recurring touchpoint was the role of collaboration in green and sustainable financing. Decarbonization efforts and the use of green technologies to meet the Sustainable Development Goals require multi-stakeholder cooperation, especially in lower-income economies. Likewise, building a net-zero future demands nature-positive development and climate-resilient infrastructure, which in turn calls for a paradigm shift in mindset, policies, and frameworks. MDBs such as AIIB can facilitate this shift by mobilizing blended finance, fostering regional partnerships, and aligning investments with climate and sustainability goals.
Participants also emphasized the need to pair smart infrastructure with smart investments to achieve climate action in practical, scalable, inclusive ways. Case studies of smart urban innovations and digital technologies showcased how they are transforming local communities while helping governments meet national targets. But innovation alone is not enough, and speakers spotlighted private capital as a way to accelerate digital transformation.
The emphasis on collaboration extended beyond the seminars. AIIB’s inaugural partnership report and the 10+ partnership signings during the event – spanning climate resilience, green energy, digital infrastructure, and cross-border connectivity – demonstrated the Bank’s commitment to operational engagement and stakeholder collaboration.
The Marketplace sessions further highlighted AIIB’s work with its partners, featuring examples from across regions—Jordan and the Maldives to Kunming and Mumbai. The sessions prompted discussions on ESG maturity, strong government ownership, multisector coordination, and MDB partnership. The Bank also engaged with civil society organizations on topics such as gender, climate change, energy, and the ongoing review of the Project-Affected People’s Mechanism, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to inclusive and transparent development. As Ngọc Cảnh Nguyễn, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam, said: “Every road, every economic corridor we build today paves the way for citizens to access new opportunities for businesses to expand and for economies to bolster their resilience against global fluctuations.”
A highlight of the meeting was the election of a new President, marking the first presidential change since the Bank began operations in 2016. Zou Jiayi will succeed President Jin Liqun when his term ends on Jan. 15, 2026. Her appointment signals a continued commitment to deepening partnerships and expanding the Bank’s impact across members.
This year’s meeting was a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of the Bank’s investments over the past decade. In that time, AIIB has invested over USD60 billion in 300+ projects across 38 economies, laying the groundwork for sustainable infrastructure, inclusive growth and regional connectivity. As it looks ahead to mobilizing at least USD75 billion by 2030, the Bank is intensifying its efforts to shape a future where infrastructure serves as a catalyst for community empowerment, technological innovation, and climate resilience across Asia and beyond.
With Qatar preparing to host the 11th Annual Meeting in 2026, the message from Beijing is clear: Collaboration is the bedrock of AIIB’s mission and the key to unlocking sustainable development across borders. As President Jin said: “When everyone gathers firewood, the flames go brighter. Let us all make the flames brighter.”
