07/08/2026
𝐙𝐎𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 – 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐏’𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊
The Central Bank of Samoa [C.B.S.], in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme [U.N.D.P.], hosted a one-day workshop on Green Banking and Sustainable Finance at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows Apia on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. The aim is to mobilise and channel climate finance across Asia and the Pacific with the Central Bank of Samoa reaffirming its commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable, and inclusive financial sector.
𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒:
The workshop was delivered under the U.N.D.P. Climate Finance Network [C.F.N.], a flagship initiative funded by the Government of the United Kingdom through the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia [C.A.R.A.] programme which aims to bridge the gap between climate goals and the investment needed to reach them.
𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒:
The workshop was attended by teams from Samoa's four commercial banks — A.N.Z. Bank [Samoa], Bank South Pacific [Samoa], National Bank of Samoa, and Samoa Commercial Bank — together with delegates from the Development Bank of Samoa, the Samoa Housing Corporation, the Unit Trust of Samoa, the Samoa National Provident Fund, the Samoa Business Hub, and the Samoa Chamber of Commerce Incorporated.
𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒:
The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Sili Margaret Chan Cheuk Tafunai, delivered the opening remarks and highlighted the important role financial institutions play in supporting investments that strengthen resilience to climate change while creating opportunities for sustainable growth.
A key feature of the workshop was a panel discussion titled “𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒘”, which brought together senior leaders from Samoa's commercial banks. Panellists shared their experiences and perspectives on the growing demand for green finance and sustainable investment.
Discussions highlighted increasing interest in renewable energy solutions, particularly solar photovoltaic [P.V.] systems for households and businesses, as well as the opportunities these investments present for customers, financial institutions, and the broader economy. The discussion also recognised challenges that need to be addressed, including strengthening institutional capacity, improving awareness of green finance products, and enhancing approaches to managing climate-related risks.
𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒:
The workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Through group discussions and practical exercises, participants strengthened their understanding of climate-related risks and opportunities and explored ways to support businesses and communities in transitioning to a more sustainable future. Participants were enabled to apply sustainable finance, ESG [environment, social and governance] and green credit risk concepts to realistic scenarios, fostering active engagement and strengthening institutional understanding.
“For many businesses in Samoa — in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, commerce, renewable energy — access to the right kind of finance is what stands between an idea, resilient livelihoods, scaling up of innovations, and ultimately, thriving, green, inclusive economies in Samoa. U.N.D.P.’s role here is to support what Samoa's financial sector is already building — in partnership with line ministries, state-owned enterprises, the private sector, communities, and development partners,” said Paolo Dall Stella, Deputy Resident Representative, U.N.D.P.
𝐂.𝐁.𝐒. 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆:
Building the capacity of Samoa’s financial institutions remains a priority for the Central Bank of Samoa, ensuring to respond to climate and sustainability challenges. A resilient and sustainable financial system is essential for supporting long-term economic development, protecting livelihoods, and helping Samoa adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Central Bank of Samoa acknowledges and greatly appreciates the continued partnership and support of U.N.D.P. and development partners in advancing sustainable finance initiatives that contribute to Samoa's economic resilience and sustainable development goals.
𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐏 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊
The U.N.D.P. Climate Finance Network [C.F.N.] supports Asia-Pacific countries bridge the gap between climate goals and the investment needed to reach them. As a regional platform, C.F.N. provides technical and policy support to integrate climate into public finance, mobilize private and innovative capital, and create the enabling environment required for lasting impact through regional knowledge exchange and peer learning. Learn more at https://go.undp.org/climate-finance-network
More information can be obtained from C.B.S. on phone number 34100 or U.N.D.P. at 23670.
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