Sona Shrestha ADB Appointment as South Asia Director
13th February 2026, Kathmandu
The Asian Development Bank recently announced a major leadership change that carries significant implications for the economic trajectory of the South Asian region. On February 12, 2026, the bank officially appointed Sona Shrestha as the new Director General of its South Asia Department. In this high profile capacity, she will be responsible for steering the overall strategic direction and operational execution of development programs across six critical member nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This appointment comes at a time when the region is navigating complex challenges ranging from climate resilience to post pandemic economic restructuring, placing a high premium on experienced leadership.
Sona Shrestha ADB Appointment
Sona Shrestha brings an extensive and distinguished professional pedigree to her new role, with a career in international development finance spanning nearly 27 years. Her tenure at the Asian Development Bank itself covers more than two decades, during which she has held a succession of senior leadership positions. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director General of the South Asia Department, a role that provided her with direct oversight of the department’s diverse portfolio. Her deep familiarity with the bank’s internal mechanisms is further bolstered by her previous service as the Deputy Director General of the Independent Evaluation Department, where she played a key role in assessing the effectiveness and impact of the bank’s various global interventions.
Beyond her work in the South Asia region, Shrestha’s experience is remarkably broad. She has served as the Assistant Secretary of the bank and was the Director of the Financial Sector and Trade Division for Southeast Asia. Her time as the Deputy Country Director for Indonesia further refined her skills in country level diplomacy and project management. This diverse geographic experience across Central, West, and Southeast Asia ensures that her leadership of the South Asia Department will be informed by a global perspective on best practices in development finance and regional cooperation.
The academic foundation supporting this career is equally impressive. A national of Nepal, Sona Shrestha earned both her Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of California in the United States. She completed her undergraduate studies in Economics at Smith College in Massachusetts. This rigorous training in economic theory and quantitative analysis has clearly been a driving force behind her success in managing complex financial sectors and trade policies throughout her career.
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The South Asia Department is a vital pillar of the Asian Development Bank’s broader mission. Established in 1966, the bank now boasts 69 member countries, with 50 of those being regional members. The South Asia region is home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies, yet it remains vulnerable to external shocks and environmental changes. As Director General, Shrestha will oversee a portfolio that prioritizes inclusive economic growth, sustainable infrastructure, and regional integration. Her mandate involves not just the oversight of ongoing loans and grants, but the formulation of long term country partnership strategies that align with the developmental goals of each member nation.
For Nepal specifically, this appointment is a source of considerable national pride. It highlights the growing influence and representation of Nepali experts within the upper echelons of global institutions. Having a Nepali national lead such a critical department is expected to facilitate a deeper understanding of the specific socio economic hurdles faced by smaller, landlocked nations in the region. While her role requires a balanced approach to all six countries under her purview, her familiarity with Nepal’s economic landscape could provide valuable context for the bank’s ongoing investments in the country’s energy, transport, and agricultural sectors.
The appointment also aligns with the Asian Development Bank’s broader commitment to gender diversity in its leadership. Shrestha’s rise through the ranks of the bank serves as an inspiring example for aspiring development professionals across Asia. Her focus on inclusive growth is expected to resonate throughout the department’s projects, particularly those aimed at reducing poverty and enhancing economic opportunities for women and marginalized communities.
In conclusion, the appointment of Sona Shrestha as Director General of the South Asia Department marks a strategic reinforcement of the bank’s leadership during a pivotal era for regional development. With her extensive operational experience, academic expertise, and deep regional roots, she is exceptionally well positioned to drive the bank’s mission of creating a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient South Asia. As she takes the helm of this important department, the international community and member nations alike will be watching closely to see how her leadership shapes the future of development finance in the region.
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