Overview

Since 2001, the UK has contributed to 14 trust funds with ADB, of which 9 are still active. The latest contribution committed was £1.2 million (around $2.0 million) for the Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation Trust Fund under the Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation Financing Partnership Facility. The UK has also committed £68.5 million (around $82.1 million) for the Urban Resilience Trust Fund under the Urban Financing Partnership Facility in February 2023, and £107 million (around $129.7 million) for the  UK–ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility Trust Fund in July 2022.  

• Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation Trust Fund  Profile
  The fund was established in March 2023 to increase the quantity and quality of investments in ocean health (including resilience and the blue economy) and coastal adaptation. It will contribute to climate-resilient and nature-positive sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific and will focus on upstream planning, project preparation and capacity development for implementing investments in ocean health and coastal adaptation.  The UK has committed about $2 million to the fund or about 17% of the fund’s total commitments. 

• Afghanistan Infrastructure Trust Fund* (AITF)  Profile |  Infographic
  Established in December 2010, the AITF provides an opportunity for bilateral, multilateral and individual contributors to partner with ADB in financing infrastructure investments and improve the livelihood of the Afghan people. The UK has contributed a total of $85.7 million (£50.2 million) or 14% of the fund. 

• Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization Innovation Fund (AIDIF)  Profile
  Established in June 2021 under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility, AIDIF aims to accelerate innovative artificial intelligence and digitalization technologies towards commercialization by advancing Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) through pilot projects.  The UK has committed $13.9 million (£10.0 million) or 100% of the fund. 

• Carbon Capture and Storage Fund (CCSF)  Profile  

Established in July 2009 under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility, CCSF aims to (i) accelerate the demonstration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies; (ii) identify, lower and/or eliminate general and country-specific technical, regulatory, institutional, financial, economic, environmental, and/or social barriers to CCS technology demonstration; and (iii) identify, eliminate or mitigate real or perceived risks in CCS capture, transport or storage technology demonstration. The UK joined the fund in December 2012 and has contributed a total of $23.8 million (£15.0 million) or 74% of the fund. The fund is currently inactive and will be closed soon.

• Clean Energy Fund (CEF)  Profile
  The Clean Energy Fund is a multi-partner trust fund established in April 2007 under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility. The objective of the facility is to improve energy security in developing member countries and decrease the rate of climate change through increased use of clean energy. The UK joined the fund in December 2015, committing about $27.4 million. To date, the UK has contributed a total of $25.5 million (£19.5 million) or 20% of the fund.

• Community Resilience Partnership Program Trust Fund (CRPPTF)  Profile  |   News  |  Video  |  Feature  |  Brochure
  Established in 2023 under the Community Resilience Financing Partnership Facility (CRFPF), the trust fund aims to scale up climate adaptation solutions at the community level. The UK joined the fund in December 2015, committing about $54 million. To date, the UK has contributed a total of $25.5 million (£19.5 million) or 20% of the fund.

• Regional Malaria and Other Communicable Disease Threats Trust Fund (RMTF)  Profile  |  Story
  The fund was set up in December 2013 to help develop multi-country, cross-border, and multisector responses to urgent malaria and other communicable disease issues.  The UK has contributed $15.6 million (£10.1 million) million out of the $19 million it has committed to the fund.

• Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF)  Profile  |  Events Snapshot  
  The fund aims to support fast-growing cities in Asia to reduce the risks from floods, storms or droughts by improving urban planning, designing climate resilient infrastructure and investing in projects and people. The UK has contributed $89.7 million (£63.7 million) out of the $102.7 million it has committed to the fund. 

•  Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF) Profile  

The trust fund was established in March 2023 and will help increase resilience of cities and communities to climate change, improve health of natural ecosystems, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The URTF will support integrated resilience planning, enhanced and effective investments in resilient infrastructure, and greater opportunities to exchange knowledge on mitigating and addressing climate and disaster risks.  The UK is currently the sole partner and has committed $82.2 million (£68.5 million) to the fund. 

• United Kingdom Fund for Asia Regional Trade and Connectivity (ARTCF)  Profile  |  News
  The fund was established in April 2018 under the Regional Cooperation and Integration Financing Partnership Facility.  It will finance regional cooperation and integration activities that improve cross-border transport, energy, ICT infrastructure and tackle regulatory bottlenecks. The UK has contributed $12.7 million (£9.5 million) out of the $29.6 million it has committed to the fund.

• United Kingdom–ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility Trust Fund (UK-ACGF)  Profile  |  Establishment  |  News 
  Established in March 2023, the UK-ACGF fund will support developing member countries in Southeast Asia to transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways. It aims to accelerate the development of green infrastructure by better utilizing public funds to create bankable projects and catalyze private capital, technologies, and management efficiencies. The UK has committed $129.7 million (£107 million) to the fund. 

*ADB placed on hold its regular assistance in Afghanistan effective 15 August 2021, including the projects funded under the Afghanistan Infrastructure Trust Fund.

As of September 2023, cumulative projects-specific cofinancing from UK has reached $1.1 billion for 22 projects and 88 technical assistance.  It includes the Pakistan Economic Corridors Program which aims strengthen regional connectivity and trade, accelerate economic growth, and create jobs in the country. 

The UK has also been supportive of ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) through its contribution to the Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund that provided $1.5 million to finance TSCFP’s safeguards-related initiatives.  The TSCFP supported over 10,910 transactions valued at $15.6 billion with banks domiciled in the UK from inception to December 2022. During the same period, the TSCFP supported over 470 UK exports and/or imports valued at $332.2 million.  

The UK contributes to ADB special funds where contributions from financing partners are administered with the same level of care as ADB’s own resources. Since becoming a member in 1966, the UK has committed a total of $1.9 billion to special funds, of which $1.8 billion went to the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADF provides grants to ADB’s low-income developing member countries to promote poverty reduction and improvements in the quality of life. 

In partnership with the British Medical Journal, the UK government’s Better Health Programme, and UK National Health Service, ADB hosted a webinar with speakers from Malaysia, the Philippines, and the UK who talked about lessons on the delivery of COVID-19 booster and pediatric vaccines.