The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is developing its first-ever Health Strategy to guide investments, develop operations and increase value-add in the health sector. The AIIB invites stakeholders to submit written comments on the outline of the health strategy to help further develop it. The outline outlines the strategy's key elements. Later this year, the AIIB's Board of Governors will consider the strategy for approval.
The AIIB is seeking input from stakeholders through written submissions on the Strategy Outline to help further develop the Health Strategy.
AIIB may also conduct face-to-face (and virtual) consultations with stakeholders. If you would like to participate in a virtual session, please email us at healthstrategy@aiib.org.
The consultation will run for eight weeks, from Friday 24 May 2024 to Thursday 18 July 2024.
There is no required format for your submission, however the questions below will provide some guidance on areas where we would like your feedback and input.
Given the long-term trends, what are the main challenges and opportunities for the AIIB in financing health infrastructure? What are the key needs that health infrastructure must address in the future? What are the characteristics that will ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of health infrastructure? Which parts of the health value chain are most important to foster sustainable economic development in Asia? In which areas of health can the AIIB add the most value, and how? What approach should the AIIB take to partnerships in the health sector? How can the AIIB's current strategic priorities be articulated to better inform its strategic direction?
Written submissions should be sent to the AIIB along with the following information:
Caption: “Submission: Health Strategy”. Contact name. Affiliation/organization. Type of organization: International/Multilateral Organization, Government Agency, Health Business, Civil Society Organization, Charity, Academic Institution/Think Tank. Email address and/or mailing address.
AIIB Contact Information:
Email: healthstrategy@aiib.org
Address: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Building A, Asian Financial Center, No. 1 Tianjin East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
Application Deadline: July 17, 2024
Why is the AIIB developing a health strategy?
The AIIB is developing a health strategy as health is crucial to the bank's mission of promoting sustainable economic development in Asia. Healthy populations underpin economic productivity and are important for the sustainability and inclusiveness of societies. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the importance of a strong public health infrastructure.
Building on the experience the AIIB has accumulated in medical financing through the COVID-19 pandemic and the establishment of its social infrastructure division in 2021, its medical strategy will better guide the bank, develop its business, and create value.
What is the purpose of the Health Strategy?
The objective of the Health Strategy is two-fold.
Strengthen infrastructure health outcomes, recognizing that infrastructure impacts determinants of health such as water and air quality. Guide the development of AIIB’s work in health-specific financing.
What is the difference between a briefing document and a developed strategy?
The overview document proposes the key elements of the Strategy: background, vision, guiding principles, strategic priorities and implementation approach. Consultation at this stage of the process provides an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input early in the development. The Strategy includes a detailed description of the key components of the overview and a framework for monitoring results.
What sectors does this strategy target?
This strategy is relevant for all infrastructure investment areas, given the health impacts of infrastructure in all sectors. For example, investments in climate transition can help mitigate the worst impacts of warming on human health. Decarbonization and the shift to renewable energy can improve ambient and household air quality. Transport infrastructure can save lives by improving access to healthcare, reducing road accidents, and improving medical supply chains and logistics. Other basic infrastructure such as sanitation, food security and supply, waste management, community facilities, and education also promote health outcomes.
The Health Strategy places special emphasis on the health sector itself, as the AIIB does not have a health sector strategy.
Does the strategy include health promotion, prevention and delivery?
Yes. The AIIB recognizes that health infrastructure can enable and support health promotion efforts and prevention measures, and directly underpin the delivery of health services. Outside of the health sector, much infrastructure directly promotes healthy lives and lifestyles and helps prevent disease by affecting air, water, soil and food systems.
Are safety measures part of your strategy?
The development and application of safety measures regarding occupational health and safety is outside the scope of this strategy. The health strategy is concerned with the health consequences of infrastructure that arise from its nature and design. This is distinct from managing health and safety issues during the process of building, managing and operating the infrastructure.
How much health funding has the AIIB provided so far?
Through its COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility, the AIIB has provided financing for 18 projects in the public health sector totaling US$3.782 billion between 2020 and 2022. Of these, 16 projects were cofinanced with other MDBs, including the World Bank (8), Asian Development Bank (6), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1), and International Finance Corporation (1).
In 2023, the AIIB provided US$1.117 billion in term loans for projects in the health sector.
Project Name Members Amount (USD Million) Funding Type Health System Modernization Indonesia 999 SBF (Loan) Quadria Capital Fund III Singapore 50 NSBF (Equity) Improving Cross-Border Livestock Health and Value Chain Infrastructure Cambodia 43* SBF (Loan) GL Capital China Opportunities Fund China 25 NSBF (Equity)
*$10 million of this came from the Pandemic Fund.
In 2020, the AIIB provided US$30 million in funding to the Legend Capital Healthcare Technology Fund.
Outside the health sector, the AIIB has funded projects with a significant impact on public health, such as water and sanitation projects and air quality improvement projects.
What happens after the consultation period?
The AIIB will collate all the views and comments received and prepare a summary for the Bank's Board of Directors. The summary will include Management's insights on key themes that will emerge. The summary will be made public after consultation with the Board. The strategy will be developed based on the consultative overview document and the feedback received during the consultation period.
When will the strategy be published?
The AIIB aims to finalize and publish its strategy by the end of 2024.
