Sona Shrestha has been appointed as director general of the South Asia Department (SARD) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
As such, she will lead the development and implementation of the ADB’s strategy and operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
“I am honored to be appointed as director general of South Asia,” Shrestha said. “I look forward to working closely with our developing member countries in the region to deepen the ADB’s engagement in support of inclusive and sustainable development.”
Shrestha, a seasoned development leader, brings more than 27 years of professional experience, with 23 years spent at the ADB.
Prior to her appointment, she was deputy director general for SARD.
Shrestha has also served as deputy director general of the ADB’s Independent Evaluations Department, assistant secretary, director in the Financial Sector and Trade Division for Southeast Asia, and deputy country director for Indonesia.
Throughout her career at ADB, she has gained extensive operational experience across Central and West Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
A national of Nepal, Shrestha holds a doctorate and master’s degrees in economics from the University of California and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College, Massachusetts.
