To ADB Institute

Dear Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) colleagues,

I hope you are all doing well.

After thirteen immensely rewarding years at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—and nearly twenty-five years before that in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector—I have decided to step back and begin a new chapter. I will retire from the Foundation at the end of this year and return to Nepal to spend more time with my family, especially my elderly mother.

When I joined the Foundation in 2012, sanitation efforts were largely focused on toilet construction. The broader sanitation value chain was not yet widely recognized; viable service and business models were limited, safety received little attention, and on-site systems often operated without structured support. At that time, NGOs were expected to provide toilets for underserved communities, non-sewered sanitation was undervalued, and fecal sludge management (FSM) systems were virtually nonexistent in South Asia. Development banks were understandably cautious about investing in non-sewered and inclusive sanitation solutions.

Together, we have made remarkable progress. Today, the dialogue has evolved to emphasize inclusive, sustainable, and safely managed sanitation accessible to everyone. Governments are making significant investments, private sector engagement is growing, and development banks are dedicating major resources toward inclusive sanitation. I am proud that our collective efforts have helped shape national policies, catalyzed the creation of the ADB Sanitation Trust Fund, and established initiatives such as the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS), the Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC), and various Regional Capacity Platforms and networks. These initiatives are now nurturing future sanitation leaders across Asia and Africa, with several cities emerging as learning hubs for inclusive sanitation.

Since 2017, the partnership between ADBI and the Gates Foundation has been pivotal in advancing policy dialogue, training, and knowledge sharing on Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). This collaboration has deeply influenced the integration of CWIS principles and practices across multiple countries in South and Southeast Asia.

A significant milestone in this journey was the 2018 Development Partners Roundtable in Tokyo, co-organized by ADBI and the Foundation, where ADB, World Bank, JICA, and IsDB came together to sign the Tokyo Statement on CWIS. This landmark declaration marked a unified commitment to scale up investments in Citywide Inclusive Sanitation and has since laid the foundation for continued collaboration and investment.

Our joint training and knowledge initiatives have reached more than 200 public officials across the region, while the evidence-based knowledge products—including audiovisuals—have become valuable resources for sector professionals.

Through this partnership, we also succeeded in influencing JICA to integrate CWIS and non-sewered sanitation approaches into their major urban development investments—an achievement that has expanded both reach and impact. Furthermore, we facilitated the transfer of Japan’s expertise in on-site sanitation systems, particularly the Jokasou system, supporting its adaptation in countries such as India. This knowledge exchange was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of Hashimoto-san, Pirre–san, Dr. Kumokawa, Shirakawa-san, and the entire JECES team.

I would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to Nakabayashi-san, who was instrumental in forging the ADBI–Foundation partnership, and to ADBI Deans Prof. Naoyuki Yoshino, Prof. Tetsushi Sonobe, and Prof. Bambang for their leadership and guidance. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Takami for his continued support in hosting multiple roundtables that have elevated the profile of sanitation financing.

A special word of appreciation goes to Dr. Seetharam for his exceptional leadership under the guidance of the ADBI Dean, and to his dedicated colleagues for their tireless efforts in advancing our shared mission. I am delighted to see ADBI’s collaboration with Toyo University in offering professional training programs for public officials from the Global South. My appreciation also extends to Prof. Kitwaki and Prof. Namba for their contributions. Thanks to Sam, Noriko-san, and Nami-san for your regular support in smoothing our regular communication and coordination.

I am equally grateful to the President of JICA and to Dr. Muto, whose personal commitment and collaboration strengthened the partnership between JICA, ADBI, and the Foundation. Their dedication was crucial in realizing our shared vision. Deep appreciation to Tomoko-san, Kumiko-san, Yumi-san, and Ichiro-san at JICA for your full commitment to integrating CWIS and non-sewered sanitation in your program.

At the Foundation, I owe deep thanks to Brian Arbogast, our former Director, for his strong support of this partnership, and to Mihoko-san (our Representative in Japan), Danielle Pedi, Alyse, Melissa McVay, and Raminta for their invaluable collaboration and commitment to advancing this partnership.

Though I will be stepping away from my official role, my passion for this work remains steadfast. I look forward to continuing as a mentor and advisor, supporting innovation, policy development, and capacity-building efforts in the years ahead.

My final day with the Foundation will be December 31, 2025. I am working closely with WSH leadership, Doulaye, Najib, Sakshi, and the WSH team to ensure a smooth transition. Sakshi Gudwani, who leads our programs in India and Asia, will continue to collaborate closely with you.

Thank you all for your friendship, trust, and inspiration. It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside you toward our shared vision of inclusive and sustainable sanitation for everyone. I hope to see many of you at the IWA Development Congress in Bangkok.

Please feel free to reach me at rrshrestha712@gmail.com starting January 1, 2026.