ADB Appoints Sona Shrestha as Director General for South Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Sona Shrestha as Director General of its South Asia Department (SARD), where she will lead the development and implementation of ADB’s strategy and operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.  

“I am honored to be appointed Director General of South Asia,” the ADB’s news release issued on Thursday, February 12, quoted Shrestha as saying. “I look forward to working closely with our developing member countries in the region to further deepen ADB’s engagement in support of inclusive and sustainable development.”   

Shrestha, ADB added, is a seasoned development leader with over 27 years of professional experience, including 23 years at ADB. Prior to this appointment, Shrestha was Deputy Director General for SARD. 

She has also served as Deputy Director General of ADB’s Independent Evaluations Department, Assistant Secretary, Director in the Financial Sector and Trade Division for Southeast Asia, and Deputy Country Director for Indonesia. In earlier professional roles in ADB, she gathered extensive operations experience across Central and West Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, the bank said.

"A national of Nepal, Ms. Shrestha holds doctorate and master’s degrees in economics from University of California in the United States," read the release. "She also has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College, Massachusetts."