The country's push towards a greener and more sustainable economy gained momentum following the successful conclusion of the Green Finance Summit 2026, which attracted 240 delegates, speakers and participants from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Held from May 27 to 28, the summit brought together government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and industry leaders under the theme "Greening Papua New Guinea's Financial Systems."
Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Elizabeth Genia described the two-day event as a collaborative success, saying the discussions demonstrated that the country is well positioned to attract growing international investment while building a more resilient economy.
Governor Genia said the summit highlighted the increasing commitment of commercial banks and private sector stakeholders towards green finance initiatives.
She noted that despite the country's challenges, Papua New Guinea has significant opportunities to work alongside international partners committed to supporting sustainable development.
A key message from the summit came from Chairman of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment, Dr Ma Jun, who said Papua New Guinea has the potential to become a regional leader in green finance.
He told delegates that PNG could serve as a model for Pacific nations implementing green finance policy frameworks, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation to address shared economic and environmental challenges.
Governor Genia said collaboration remains essential to driving investment that supports climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.
She added that the summit provided an important platform for practical discussions and solutions already making a positive impact across the Pacific region.
Several major outcomes were achieved during the summit, including progress towards implementing the Inclusive Green Finance Taxonomy, Environmental and Social Risk Management guidelines, and Green Lending Reporting systems.
A grant agreement was also signed with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to operationalize the Green Guarantee Facility.
In another significant development, BPNG, AFD and the Global Green Growth Institute signed a Letter of Intent to explore an additional EUR15 million, approximately K75 million, to support future green finance initiatives.
Delegates also witnessed a commitment between the National Energy Authority and BPNG to operationalize a Renewable Energy Facility, while a new Green Finance Academy was launched to strengthen local expertise in sustainable finance.
Preparations are also underway for the launch of a National Centralized Climate Investment Database aimed at improving coordination and investment tracking.
Governor Genia acknowledged the support of the National Government, development partners, regional central banks and international financial institutions for helping advance Papua New Guinea's green finance agenda.
She said the true measure of success would not be the agreements signed or meetings held, but whether communities become more resilient, the financial system becomes stronger, and the economy is better prepared for future challenges.
Governor Genia urged stakeholders to maintain the momentum generated by the summit, stressing the need for urgency, purpose and continued collaboration in building a sustainable future for Papua New Guinea.
