Ep73 Planetary Health and Climate Finance: AIIB’s Vision, ft Vera Siesjö, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

The Asia Climate Finance Podcast
Ep73 Planetary Health and Climate Finance: AIIB’s Vision, ft Vera Siesjö, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Nov 12, 2025

Comments/ideas: theasiaclimatecapitalpodcast@gmail.com

Explore the powerful links between climate, health, and development. Hear from Vera Siesjö how the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank is tackling health challenges in Asia and beyond. Discover how climate change, digital innovation, and infrastructure investment shape health for millions. Learn why a healthy planet means healthier lives.

REF: INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PLANETARY HEALTH

ABOUT VERA: Vera Siesjö is a global health leader with nearly two decades of international experience advancing planetary health, health systems transformation, and sustainable development. At the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), she leads the Bank’s thought leadership agenda at the nexus of health, nature, climate, and inclusion—helping shape strategies that connect human well-being with the resilience of our planet. Before joining AIIB, Vera held leadership roles across leading international organizations. As Advisor to the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), she oversaw health programs across Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. She also served as Senior Program Officer and founding team member of the Defeat NCD Partnership at UNOPS in Geneva, and as Director of ACCESS Health International, a global think tank and implementation partner working to accelerate health systems reform worldwide. Throughout her career, Vera has led pioneering initiatives in health financing, climate and health integration, digital innovation, and people-centered healthcare. She has contributed to the creation and management of key global collaborations, including the Center for Health Market Innovation and the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage. An entrepreneur at heart, Vera co-founded E-Pharma and continues to advise several health sector startups driving innovation and equity in care. Vera holds a Doctor of Psychology from UP and a Master’s in International Public Health from the University of Sydney.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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