The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signed letters of intent with Bank of Jiangsu (BOJ), Bank of Huzhou (BOH) and Tencent to mobilize private capital and catalyze nature finance today during AIIB’s 10th Annual Meeting held at the China National Convention Center II. This initiative is part of AIIB’s Nature Finance Accelerator Program, which aims to scale up investments in nature infrastructure, nature conservation and nature-based solutions.
Under these agreements, AIIB will work with BOJ and BOH through its on-lending facilities to support a portfolio of high-impact, nature-related projects aligned with an internationally recognized nature finance taxonomy. The projects will be primarily located in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and could help enable a paradigm shift toward ecological civilization, in which human activities are in more harmonious balance with the natural world.
Tencent will provide technical assistance grants to enhance the design, implementation, and monitoring of the program. Tencent will also explore opportunities to purchase nature-based carbon credits and leverage its digital tools to track nature and biodiversity benefits, among others.
"This strategic collaboration brings together the strengths and expertise of all partners to create transformative impact," said Rajat Misra, Acting Chief Investment Officer of AIIB Public Sector (Region 1) and Financial Institutions and Funds (Global) Clients. "By joining forces with two leading regional green banks and Tencent, a leader in digital innovation, we are shaping a new future for nature finance in Asia."
Jun Yuan, BOJ’s President, said: “This marks the first on-lending collaboration between AIIB and one of China’s systemically important banks to scale up nature-positive finance. It is expected to be the first non-sovereign on-lending facility provided by a multilateral development bank dedicated to supporting nature and biodiversity in Jiangsu Province. This collaboration will boost Jiangsu's efforts to promote biodiversity in line with the Beautiful China initiative.”
Yaoting Xie, BOH’s President, said: “This initiative reinforces our leadership in green finance and aligns with China's vision of ecological civilization. We look forward to further collaborating with AIIB to support nature projects that promote ecological conservation and drive economic growth.”
Xu Hao, Tencent's Vice President of Sustainable Social Value, said, “We are proud to partner with AIIB and leverage digital innovation for biodiversity monitoring and carbon markets, which aligns with our mission to use technology for good.”
Investing in nature is increasingly recognized as one of the most impactful strategies for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Strong partnerships under the Nature Finance Accelerator Program will effectively catalyze finance flows into nature and biodiversity conservation. Piloting in China, the program holds strong potential for replication across other AIIB Members.
About AIIB
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank dedicated to financing “infrastructure for tomorrow,” with sustainability at its core. AIIB began operations in 2016, now has 110 approved members worldwide, is capitalized at USD100 billion and is AAA-rated by major international credit rating agencies. AIIB collaborates with partners to mobilize capital and invest in infrastructure and other productive sectors that foster sustainable economic development and enhance regional connectivity.
About Bank of Jiangsu
Headquartered in Nanjing, Bank of Jiangsu (SSE: 600919) is one of China's 20 systemically important banks directly supervised by China's central bank, PBOC. According to 'The Banker' magazine, BOJ ranks 66th in the Global Top 500 Banking Brands. It also sits on the UNEP FI Leadership Council and represents the Middle and East Asia on the UNEP FI Banking Board.
About Bank of Huzhou
Established in 1998, Bank of Huzhou is a city commercial bank headquartered in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, recognized as a leading regional green bank by actively promoting environmentally friendly financial products and services. The bank specializes in SMEs and green lending across the Yangtze River Delta and is one of Equator Principles banks in China.
About Tencent
Founded in 1998 with its headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Tencent's guiding principle is to use technology for good. Tencent connects more than one billion people and supports digital transformation around the world, through a range of communication, social, entertainment and enterprise services. Tencent has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, China since 2004.
