Are MDBs Actually Implementing Reforms?
Center for Global Development
Multilateral institutions
Asian Development Bank
ShareholderInternational · Asia and the Pacific
The UK is a founding shareholder of ADB. The bank finances development through public and private sector operations. UK support also includes special funds and guarantees, which are separate from its shares.
- UK ownership or participation
- 2.038% of shares · 31 December 2025
- Lead department or body
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- UK voting rights
- 1.920% of votes · 31 December 2025
- Mandate
- Development finance
UK financial position
FCDO investment carrying value£894.333m31 March 2026
Accounting value; not cumulative cash paid.
Underlying source ↗UK capital subscriptionUS$2.97bn31 December 2025
Overall subscription includes paid-in and callable capital.
Underlying source ↗UK paid-in subscriptionUS$148.6m31 December 2025
Paid-in component of the subscription; not the institution's total equity.
Underlying source ↗UK ADF14 contribution authorisedUp to £120mJuly 2025 authorisation; 2025–2028 replenishment
Concessional fund contribution, separate from ADB share capital. Authorisation does not establish that all funds have been paid.
Underlying source ↗Accounting values, paid-in capital and funding commitments have different meanings and reporting dates. These figures are not added together.
Ownership and accountability
FCDO records the investment. The UK participates in ADB's multilateral governance; its published constituency representation includes Germany, Austria and Luxembourg. Minority ownership does not confer unilateral control.
Research hub
3 publications relevant to ADB · Institution-specific research shown first
Maximising the developmental impact of MDB callable capital: project findings and path forward
ODI
Boosting MDBs’ investing capacity: An Independent Review of Multilateral Development Banks’ Capital Adequacy Frameworks
G20 Capital Adequacy Frameworks Expert Panel
News and announcements
View in News and announcements →- UK joins contributors to ASEAN power-grid preparation fund ↗
ADB's new Regional Connectivity Fund starts with about US$25m from five partners including the UK. The release does not identify the UK's individual contribution.