Reserve Bank of Vanuatu hosts Pacific leaders roundtable with endorsement of Santo Statement and launch of green finance roadmap

The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, in partnership with the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, convened the 14th Pacific Islands Regional Initiative Leaders roundtable in Luganville, Santo, bringing together Pacific central bank governors and delegations for discussions on resilience and financial inclusion. The meeting produced both regional and domestic outcomes, including endorsement of the Santo Statement of Financial Capability and Pacific Financial Literacy Week, the launch of Vanuatu’s Inclusive Green Finance Roadmap 2026-2030, the issuance of full licenses for the Vodafone M-Vatu and Digicel MyCash mobile wallets, and the signing of a salary disbursement arrangement between the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu and Vodafone Vanuatu Ltd. The three-day program focused on supervisory technology for regulated entities, financial capability and trust in Pacific financial ecosystems, and inclusive green finance under the Natadola Roadmap, alongside technical updates from regional initiatives. Discussions centered on moving beyond financial access to strengthen financial capability for underserved groups, including women, youth and people with disabilities, while addressing wider economic and climate-related pressures on Pacific financial systems. The governors also endorsed two regional initiatives for presentation at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion Global Policy Forum in Port Moresby in September 2026. These are the development of a Pacific Regional Inclusive Green Finance Taxonomy and the expansion of the Green Finance Academy across Pacific Islands Regional Initiative member institutions.