Sona Shrestha appointed Director General of ADB’s South Asia Department

Kathmandu: The Asian Development Bank has appointed Nepali national Sona Shrestha as Director General of its South Asia Department, placing her at the helm of strategy and operations across one of the bank’s most dynamic regions.

In her new role, Shrestha will oversee ADB’s strategic direction, project development and operational implementation in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The position carries significant responsibility, as South Asia remains a priority region for infrastructure investment, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth.

Shrestha previously served as Deputy Director General of the same department. Her elevation marks a rare milestone for Nepal in the upper echelons of international financial institutions and is particularly notable as she becomes one of the few Nepali women to reach such a senior leadership position within ADB.

Expressing her gratitude following the appointment, Shrestha said she was honored to lead the department and looked forward to deepening ADB’s engagement with its developing member countries in South Asia. She emphasized strengthening partnerships to advance inclusive and sustainable development across the region.

With 27 years of professional experience in international development, Shrestha brings extensive expertise in policy analysis, project operations, and evaluation. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of California in the United States and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Smith College.

Of her nearly three decades in the development sector, 23 years have been spent at ADB. During that time, she has worked across Central and West Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia, gaining broad operational experience in diverse economic and institutional contexts.

Her appointment comes at a time when South Asia faces multiple challenges, including climate vulnerability, infrastructure financing gaps and post-pandemic recovery pressures. As Director General, Shrestha will play a key role in shaping ADB’s investment priorities and policy dialogue in a region that accounts for a significant share of the bank’s overall portfolio.

For Nepal, her rise to one of ADB’s top regional leadership posts is being viewed as a source of national pride and a reflection of growing Nepali representation in global development institutions.