The Chief Secretary to the Government Mr. Ivan Pomaleu officially opened the inaugural Green Finance Summit 2025 this morning with a look back on the positive growth of the Green Finance Center and its initiative, since its inception just over a year ago. Green finance refers to structured financial activities that aim to ensure better environmental outcomes. It includes loans, debt mechanisms, and investments that encourage the development of green projects or minimize the climate impact of regular projects. The goal is to direct financial resources toward sustainable development priorities. “It’s my honour to be here today to open the Green Finance Summit 2025, an event that signifies just how far Papua New Guinea has come in embedding sustainability into our financial and economic systems. Just under 2 years ago in June 2023, I had the honour to launch the Papua New Guinea Inclusive Green Finance Policy. It was a bold step, one that acknowledged climate change as both an economic risk and an opportunity for transparency, and today I stand before you incredibly proud of the progress we have made. I want to especially commend the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) under the strong leadership of Governor Genia (Elizabeth Genia) and her team for translating policy into action,” said Mr. Pomaleu. In just one year, the BPNG has done what many can only plan for, which is to establish a dedicated department; the Green Finance Center (GFC) to lead and coordinate Green Finance efforts in PNG. Mr. Pomaleu stated that this alone is a remarkable achievement for the Center in less than twelve (12) months, having launched the GFC back in March 2024. “The GFC is not only building frameworks and roadmaps; it is delivering real reforms that are positioning PNG as a regional leader in sustainable finances,” he said. The Chief Secretary then urged everyone to fully participate in this important summit and to get the best out of it. Meanwhile, the Summit is being held in Port Moresby city at the Hilton Hotels for three days, starting today. The Summit marks the event for high- level dialogue to unlock green finance opportunities, foster green investment, support inclusive growth across key national priorities such as agriculture, sustainable land use and marine resources, renewable energy, women-led enterprises, and small and medium-sized businesses. This event comes at a crucial time as countries across the Pacific region seek to scale up climate finance, support green and blue economies, and promote sustainable development pathways aligned with international best practices. Endorsed by the Government of Papua New Guinea and Bank of Papua New Guinea, the summit is funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Asia Development Bank (ADB), International Finance Corporation, member of the World Bank Group (IFC), and supported by International Monetary Fund (IMF), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), United National Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Hilton Port Moresby Hotels and Residences, Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Attending this Summit include the Central Bank heads from the region, overseas and regional delegates and also the Deputy Prime Minister for Fiji, Manoa Kamikamica.