MANILA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate resilient infrastructure development and spur economic growth in developing countries across Asia and the Pacific, the multilateral lender announced on Wednesday.

The MOU will serve as a framework for cofinancing and joint initiatives, particularly in transport, urban development, and energy. Several possible projects are already under discussion, with the first initiatives expected to roll out in 2026.

"Qatar and ADB are building something new together -- a partnership that unlocks development finance for communities across Asia and the Pacific," said ADB President Masato Kanda via video message about the milestone signing that took place on the sidelines of the Doha Forum 2025. "Together, we can support innovative infrastructure and sectors that are often underfunded."

Established in 2002, QFFD provides humanitarian and development assistance to Arab and other developing nations. Its programs currently span more than 90 countries. ■