Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu, OBE has officially launched the 2026 Green Finance Summit today (May 27th 2026), under the theme “Greening PNG’s Financial System” in Port Moresby.
The summit brings together key stakeholders, including the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), the Green Finance Centre, and international development partners, to accelerate the nation’s transition toward a sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
In his opening address, the Chief Secretary emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a current reality impacting Papua New Guinea’s agriculture, coastlines, and livelihoods.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that climate resilience and economic growth progress hand-in-hand.
Since the launch of the Inclusive Green Finance Policy in 2023 and the Green Finance Centre in 2024, Papua New Guinea has moved rapidly from policy discussion to practical action.
The Chief Secretary announced several landmark initiatives, including the Green Finance Facilities, the Inclusive Green Finance Taxonomy Version 2.0, and the Green Finance Academy. These tools are designed to move the country toward a more transparent and credible market for sustainable investment.
Sustainable finance is being positioned as a driver for job creation, energy access, and financial inclusion.
“It is not simply about climate discussions; it is about improving the lives of Papua New Guineans,” the Chief Secretary stated.
In addition, Mr. Pomaleu highlighted that public funding alone cannot meet development ambitions. There is a critical call for financial institutions, including commercial banks and superannuation funds, to mobilize private capital into renewable energy, green SMEs, and resilient infrastructure.
The Summit coincides with the Pacific Central Banks Study Tour, featuring representatives from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Samoa. This underscores PNG’s growing leadership in regional green finance reforms.
Further he expressed pride in PNG’s upcoming role as host for the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum in late 2026, which is expected to attract delegates from over 85 countries.
The Chief Secretary extended his gratitude to the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Governor Elizabeth Genia, Chairman Sir Robert Igara, and international partners including the IMF, World Bank Group, ADB, and others for their continued support.
“We want Papua New Guinea to become a destination for responsible, impactful investment,” the Chief Secretary concluded. “Our goal is to ensure our development pathway leaves no Papua New Guinean behind.”
The 2026 Green Finance Summit will continue over the coming days, focusing on strengthening partnerships and identifying practical solutions for the nation’s sustainable development journey.