AIIB President Zou Jiayi Calls for Stronger Multilateral Cooperation to Sustain Investment Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

Speaking at the 2026 Asian Financial Forum today, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Zou Jiayi highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation to sustain long-term investment and support shared growth amid rising global economic uncertainty.

Zou noted that the global economy is facing a convergence of challenges, including a weakening of traditional drivers of global growth such as strong investment and integrated value chains.

"Across Asia and beyond, countries continue to need reliable energy, resilient infrastructure, digital connectivity, effective climate mitigation and adaptation," Zou said. These needs, she added, are becoming more pressing even as borrowing costs rise and public budgets come under strain.

Against this backdrop, Zou described multilateral cooperation as "an economic imperative," emphasizing that cooperation helps manage uncertainty, sustain confidence and keep long-term investment moving.

She outlined key priorities for fostering cooperation and shared success: expanding space for long-term investment by enhanced cooperation; mobilizing private capital alongside public finance; and ensuring that innovation and the climate transition advance responsibly at pace.

Zou highlighted the special role of multilateral development banks as platforms for cooperation and trust. They can bring together governments, private investors and partners to pool expertise and translate shared priorities into deliverable projects. She cited three AIIB-supported projects in Türkiye, Indonesia and Kazakhstan that particularly exemplify how multilateral cooperation enables sustainable investment across diverse country contexts.

Looking ahead, Zou said she would focus on deepening AIIB's development impact, upholding multilateralism and working closely with partners, including AIIB Members, peer MDBs, and other financial institutions to channel long-term capital into productive and sustainable development.

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 111 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.