Month: May 2026

Bank of Papua New Guinea

Media Release

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 27 May 2026

 

The 2026 Green Finance Summit opened today, Wednesday 27 May 2026 at the Hilton Hotel, hosted by the Bank of Papua New Guinea and the Green Finance Centre.

Governor Elizabeth Genia opened the summit calling for collaboration to drive investment to build a resilient and sustainable Papua New Guinea under the theme of ‘Greening PNG’s Financial System’. The summit creates a platform for workable, practical solutions to move capital and challenge conventional assumptions to create a tangible green financial system in Papua New Guinea.

The two-day summit features a strong line up of keynote presentations, panels discussions and interactive workshops that will provide a high-level platform to unlock green finance opportunities, accelerate climate-resilient investment, and advance practical action on green growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The summit convened approximately 250 participants from across government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, private sector organisations, investors, and regional central banks. Senior representatives from national agencies, commercial banks, multilateral institutions and development organisations will join leaders from PNG and the wider Pacific to exchange practical insights, showcase progress, and explore innovative green finance instruments that can accelerate climate-resilient and sustainable finance in PNG.

Aligned with Papua New Guinea’s Inclusive Green Finance Policy and its implementation roadmap, the 2026 summit builds on the momentum of the inaugural 2025 Green Finance Summit and reflects the country’s growing commitment to strengthening its green finance architecture. As PNG prepares for higher standards of sustainability reporting and seeks to mobilise greater private capital for climate-resilient development, the summit will serve as a timely platform for policy dialogue, technical exchange and partnership-building that supports practical market implementation.

This year, we move the conversation forward – 2026 is not about introducing ideas; it is about implementation said Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Elizabeth Genia,

“Papua New Guinea remains committed to building strong policy frameworks that encourage green investment, strengthen financial sector resilience, and create pathways for sustainable growth.” “The Green Finance Summit 2026 is an opportunity to bring together partners, financial institutions and policymakers to move from ambition to implementation and ensure that green finance delivers practical outcomes for our people, our economy and our climate future.”

Key highlights of the summit will include the launch of PNG’s Inclusive Green Finance Taxonomy Version 2, Standards for Green Loan Classification and Reporting, the Environmental Risk Policy Guidelines for

Head Office: ToRobert Haus, Douglas Street, Port Moresby NCD | PO Box 121 Port Moresby NCD Tel: +675 322 7200 | Email: info@bankpng.gov.pg | www.bankpng.gov.pg

Financial Institutions and the Green Finance Academy. This will be alongside discussions on green lending, impact investment, digital finance and financial inclusion.

Papua New Guinea has been commended for the progress it has made in establishing its green finance policy framework by the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI).

Dr Ma Jun, Keynote speaker at the Green Finance Summit 2026, and Chairman of CASI said: “I am deeply impressed by the remarkable progress Papua New Guinea has achieved in establishing its green finance policy framework.”

“I believe PNG can serve as an excellent role model for island nations across the Asia-Pacific. As a global platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing, CASI stands ready to partner with the Bank of Papua New Guinea and the Green Finance Centre to strengthen sustainable finance and investment capacity in PNG and other economies throughout the region”.

Chief Secretary to the Government of Papua New Guinea, Ivan Pomaleu, OBE, on behalf of the Prime Minister Hon James Marape commended the Bank of Papua New Guinea and Green Finance Centre for bringing together such an important platform for strengthening sustainable development agenda,

“These reforms are critical because sustainable finance is not simply about climate discussions. It is about jobs. It is about agriculture. It is about energy access. It is about infrastructure. It is about financial inclusion. And most importantly, it is about improving lives of Papua New Guineans.”

The summit is coordinated by the Green Finance Centre in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Through these partnerships, the summit is expected to strengthen market confidence, reduce greenwashing risks, and support the growth of credible green finance solutions that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable financial system in PNG.

Ends/ Background

About Green Finance Centre

 

The Green Finance Centre (GFC) is a department under the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG). Its primary role is to transform Papua New Guinea’s financial sector into one that is inclusive, climate resilient and promotes green economic growth. It serves as the entity responsible for implementing the Inclusive and Green Finance Policy (IGFP) and all future initiatives related to green finance in Papua New Guinea.

The Green Finance Centre was officially launched on 25th March 2024 by Chief Secretary to the Government of Papua New Guinea Mr. Ivan Pomaleu OBE, Conservation Environment & Climate Change Minister Hon Simo Kilepa MP, and the Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea Mrs. Elizabeth Genia.

Currently, the Green Finance Centre is the secretariat to the Inclusive Green Finance Project steering committee, that is chaired by BPNG. Other members of the steering committee include the Centre of Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA), the Department of Treasury, the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)(Observer), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)(observer) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)(observer).

More than 1,000 students in Madang Province have gained valuable financial literacy knowledge through the successful completion of the Young Mind Savings Campaign (YMSC), a three-day awareness programme aimed at promoting savings habits and responsible money management among school-aged children.

The campaign, held from 20–22 May 2026, brought together schools, financial institutions, government agencies and community stakeholders to encourage students to understand the importance of saving money and opening bank accounts from an early age.

The programme was conducted at Sagalau Demonstration Primary School, Holy Spirit Primary School and Kusbau Primary School. Students from Good Shepherd Secondary School also attended the afternoon session at Sagalau Primary School. Granget Primary School and Tusbab Secondary School were unable to participate due to ongoing school assessments.

The Young Mind Savings Campaign, launched in 2024, began with successful pilot programmes in Milne Bay and West New Britain provinces, resulting in more than 300 student bank accounts being opened. In August 2025, CEFI partnered with the East New Britain Provincial Government to reach 3,000 students across six schools, resulting in 500 new accounts being opened with support from financial institutions and government agencies.

The campaign continued to expand in October 2025 to Kerema District, where 3,800 students across six schools participated and 430 accounts were opened. In March 2026, a total of 2,073 bank accounts were opened during the campaign in Western Highlands Province.

The Madang programme was delivered through a partnership between the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the Madang Provincial Government, with support from the Bank of Papua New Guinea, the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea and participating financial institutions including Bank South Pacific, TISA Bank, Kina Bank, Women’s Micro Bank, MiBank, NASFUND, NCSL, Nambawan Super, Nambawan Savings and Loan Society, and National Development Bank.

CEFI Executive Director Peter Samuel thanked stakeholders and participating institutions for their continued support in educating school-aged children about savings and financial responsibility.

“The purpose of the Young Mind Savings Campaign is to raise awareness and educate school students about the importance of opening and owning a bank account, as well as building a culture of saving for their future,” Mr Samuel said.

He said the continued collaboration between CEFI, financial institutions and stakeholders was helping empower students with financial knowledge while encouraging a stronger savings culture for a more secure future.

Madang Provincial Government Executive Director for Commerce, Imason Bekue, said the provincial government was proud to partner with CEFI in delivering an important educational programme aimed at preparing young people for the future.

He said the Young Mind Savings Campaign was part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between CEFI and the Madang Provincial Government in 2024, making Madang the sixth province in Papua New Guinea to implement the initiative.

Mr Bekue said the programme aligned with the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV and the Madang Provincial Integrated Development Plan.

“The theme of this programme reflects the importance of preparing the future generation to participate in the country’s development agenda and make informed decisions for a better future,” he said.

Speaking during the closing programme at Kusbau Primary School, Director of Economic Services Peter Sagerom acknowledged the commitment shown by teachers, students and stakeholders throughout the campaign.

“We are still learning, but we must learn how to save money. It will take time, but surely we will get there for the good of our future generations,” Mr Sagerom said.

He noted that financial education was becoming increasingly important as Papua New Guinea’s education system gradually integrates financial literacy into schools. He also highlighted ongoing challenges, including teacher training, infrastructure limitations in rural schools and the need to adapt lessons to Papua New Guinea’s diverse cultural and economic environment.

Provincial Education Director Alphonse Igag described financial literacy as an essential life skill that had been missing from the education system for many years. He said the campaign would help students develop responsible money management habits from an early age while also benefiting teachers and parents.

“We are working towards establishing financial literacy, which has been missing for the last fifty years. No wonder very few people are able to manage money properly,” Mr Igag said.

Mr Igag thanked CEFI and its partners for bringing the programme to Madang and expressed confidence that the initiative would help build a financially informed generation in the years ahead.

Kusbau Primary School Headmistress Mrs ToWillie welcomed the initiative and commended financial institutions for delivering financial education directly to schools and communities.

“Your presence shows your commitment to educating our young people about financial literacy, savings and responsibility in money management,” she said.

Sagalau Demonstration Primary School Head Teacher Francis Piska described the campaign as an important opportunity for students to learn the value of saving money and develop responsible financial habits from an early age.

“It is a privilege and blessing to have you all here at Sagalau Demonstration Primary School,” Mr Piska said.

The Young Mind Savings Campaign continues to strengthen financial education efforts across Papua New Guinea by encouraging children and young people to develop positive saving habits and financial responsibility for the future.

 

Ends.

 

Image Captions:

Image 1: Sagalau Demonstration Primary School Students, CEFI Staff and Stakeholders pose for a group photo.

Image 2: Sagalau Demonstration Primary  School Students assisted by TISA Bank Officers to open bank accounts.

Image 3: NCSL Staff doing awareness to Sagalau Demonstration Primary School Students on NCSL Products and Servcies.

Image 4: Holy Spirit Primary School Students, CEFI Staff and Stakeholders pose for a group photo.

Image 5: Bank of Papua New Guinea Currency Staff interacting with Holy Spirit Primary School Students.

Image 6: Holy Spirit Primary School Students opening bank accounts at the BSP Booth.

Image 7: Kusbau Primary School Students, CEFI Staff and Stakeholders pose for a group photo.

Image 8: Nambawan Savings and Loans Society Officer Goodness Geyame doing awareness to Kusbau Primary School Students about Nambawan Savings and Loans Society products and services.

Image 9:  Sylvia Lunga from Kina Bank doing awareness to Kusbau Primary School Students about Kina Banks products and services.

 

 

 

About CEFI

CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24^th of April 2013. CEFI was endorsed by PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) as the industry apex organization for coordinating, advocating and moniotoring all financial inclusion activities in PNG.

CEFI’s vision, mission and values focus on financial inclusion and literacy, poverty elimination and the promotion of vibrant financial institutional operation in Papua New Guinea.

Visit our website – www.thecefi.org

Media Contact:

Mr. Leslie Omaro

Communication Officer

Phone: 7464 5678

Email: lomaro@thecefi.org