Central bank governors from the Pacific have endorsed the Nuku’alofa Pledge, committing to innovation, equity, and climate resilience in regional finance.
The agreement was formalised on 5 June during the Pacific Islands Regional Initiative (PIRI) meeting, co-hosted by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI).
The Nuku’alofa Pledge outlines a roadmap to:
- Strengthen regional digital infrastructure and embrace new technologies to drive inclusive growth.
- Expand access to safe, affordable financial services for women, youth, rural populations, and people with disabilities.
- Integrate climate risk into financial supervision and direct finance toward sustainable, locally appropriate climate solutions.
“Financial inclusion is not just a policy objective, but a moral and strategic imperative,” said National Reserve Bank of Tonga Governor, Tatafu Moeaki. “We stand united in our resolve to build a Pacific financial ecosystem that fosters inclusion of the poorer, women and those vulnerable to natural and climate hazards, serves our people, protects our planet, and enables sustainable prosperity.”
AFI Board Chair and Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali highlighted the digital future of finance: “The future of inclusive finance in the Pacific is undeniably digital. As central banks, we are committed to embedding innovation across every layer of our financial systems, from policy and regulation to products and service delivery.”
Dr. Eliki Boletawa, AFI’s Director of Policy Programs and Implementation, emphasised the collaborative nature of the pledge: “The Nuku’alofa Pledge has been developed through close collaboration among PIRI member institutions. It is a powerful affirmation of our shared Pacific values, our regulatory leadership, and our collective vision for systems that are inclusive, climate-resilient, and economically empowering.”
The PIRI meeting also featured a tree planting ceremony, symbolising the commitment to environmental sustainability. Deputy Governor Luke Forau of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands stated, “Planting these trees show our commitment to create systems for offsetting the emissions and to reduce the harmful levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”
This pledge builds upon previous regional efforts, such as the Natadola Roadmap to Inclusive Green Finance, endorsed in June 2024, which aims to integrate sustainable practices and inclusive policies into the Pacific’s financial systems.
