World Bank Pacific

18/12/2025

🚧 A big step forward for South Santo with the longest Bridge in Vanuatu 🇻🇺

This week, the Government of Vanuatu marked an important milestone with the opening new sections of the South Santo Road under the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project.

Led by the Government and supported by the World Bank, this is delivering results people will feel every day:

11 new bridges, including the 210-metre Navaka Bridge — the longest bridge in Vanuatu (!!!)

A newly reconstructed road between Sarakata Bridge and Saint Michel, improving safety, access, and reliability for families, farmers, and businesses.

This is infrastructure built for Vanuatu’s future: stronger, safer, and designed for a changing climate. It means better access to markets, services, education, and jobs, and fewer days when communities are cut off.

The World Bank is proud to partner with the Government of Vanuatu on this US$142.8 million investment, supporting climate-resilient infrastructure that creates local jobs and strengthens opportunity across Santo.

Photo Credit: Project contractors CCECC South Pacific

15/12/2025

"The thing i've learned from being part of the Urban Youth Employment Project Phase II - UYEP II is perseverance despite the odds. Meet Gilchrist Kombo from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea🇵🇬, who is one of over 1,239 young people who recently graduated from UYEP II which is successfully upskilling youths and connecting them to the jobs of tomorrow."

12/12/2025

🌿 Honourable Esrom Immanuel, Fiji’s Minister of Finance, has officially launched the country’s first Green Finance Taxonomy — a science-based framework to guide investments that truly support climate and development goals.

This landmark achievement reflects strong collaboration between the Reserve Bank of Fiji, IFC East Asia Pacific and Climate Bonds Initiative, paving the way for a low-carbon, sustainable future across the Pacific.

✅ Why it matters:

💪 Builds investor confidence and transparency
💰Attracts private investment for climate-resilient projects
📈Aligns Fiji with global sustainability standards

📖 Learn more: http://wrld.bg/affl50XHWM0
🔗 Full Taxonomy: http://wrld.bg/VHLh50XHXsG

12/12/2025

🎉Bikpela congratulations are in order! This week, 1,239 incredible young men and women graduated from the Urban Youth Employment Project Phase II - UYEP II in Port Moresby.
For many young people in urban centers, finding a job can feel impossible. UYEP II is changing that narrative with a structured program designed to build skills, provide experience, and open doors to a brighter future.
UYEP II empowers out-of-school and out-of-work youth through a comprehensive program that starts with 10 days of basic life skills training, followed by 30 days of paid urban work experience, and then 65 days of specialization through internships or TVET.
We are proud to support this vital work in Port Moresby and Lae !🇵🇬 Urban Youth Employment Project Phase II - UYEP II National Capital District Commission

03/12/2025

Today we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Meet James, who is a local disability representative in the Santo community. Like many across Vanuatu, he depends on safe, reliable roads and transport services to access services, health care, markets, and community life.♿️

Through the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project (VCRTP), the World Bank is supporting the Government of Vanuatu to build and upgrade roads that are not only climate-resilient, but also designed with accessibility in mind.🛣️

🎥 Watch James’ story and learn how climate-resilient, accessible transport is strengthening connections for all communities in Vanuatu.

Learn more: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/07/04/the-road-ahead-vanuatu-s-climate-resilient-transport-project-boosts-community-access-and-safety

03/12/2025

03/12/2025

🌊💸 Faster, safer payments for the Pacific

Across the Pacific, families and businesses still face delays and high costs to send or receive money. This week in Nadi, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Reserve Bank of Fiji, and the World Bank Group are bringing together central bank leaders and partners to change that.

The Pacific Fast Payments Systems Workshop (Dec 3–5) is focused on making payments quicker, more secure, and more affordable — whether it’s paying school fees, receiving wages, or running a small business.

This builds on the World Bank’s Correspondent Banking Relationships (CBR) Project, which is safeguarding the region’s financial lifelines so Pacific people can stay connected to the global financial system.

Pacific Islands Forum
Reserve Bank of Fiji
Fiji Government

03/12/2025

02/12/2025

During the global , the World Bank, IFC East Asia Pacific hosted a joint workshop with the Government of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby to discuss strengthening protections from gender-based violence in the public sector.

Participants from several government departments shared experiences and discussed practical steps to make workplaces safer for women and men.

Through support from the Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality Fast Track Initiative for PNG, this work is helping the Government of PNG strengthen the implementation of public service policies, including reporting systems, and support to leadership, HR, and safeguards teams within government departments with training and tools.

It also works with contractors to meet Government and World Bank / IFC requirements for preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Delivered under the World Bank’s Pacific Gender Equality Program this partnership aims to support safer jobs, stronger institutions, and greater equality across PNG.

01/12/2025

Meet the PNG women breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries!

From construction sites to shipping vessels, PNG women are paving the way. 💪

For Qunequnder at Paradise Foods Limited introducing apprenticeships, mentoring, and policies like paid maternity leave and family and sexual violence protections is resulting in a reshaping of culture, while boosting productivity, respect, and opportunities. At TWM Group leaders like Delosi and Ranu are mentoring women in trades while championing inclusive policies and training that make the workplace safer, more respectful, and more equitable.

IFC - International Finance Corporation is showcasing these stories in an exhibition demonstrating that workplaces that empower women - strengthen businesses.

Delivered by PNG Business Coalition For Women and IFC East Asia Pacific, and supported by the governments of Australia and New Zealand, Meri Save Trades partners with companies to create respectful workplaces and open career pathways for women in male-dominated sectors. Since launch, 19 companies employing more than 15,000 people have introduced policies like paid maternity leave, grievance systems, and leadership pathways, creating real opportunities for women to thrive.

Find out more about Meri Save Trades: http://wrld.bg/w3pl50XxQIe

The World Bank's work in the Pacific is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility (PPIUF).

28/11/2025

22/11/2025

This week for , we were focused on real progress for children in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬.

Across the country, families are facing serious challenges with nearly half of young children experiencing malnutrition, and many still struggle to access the services they need. But targeted support is making a difference.

PNG’s first national cash transfer program is already delivering results:
✔️ More mothers able to buy food, clothing and medicine
✔️ Improved nutrition and wellbeing for young children
✔️ Thousands of women opening bank accounts for the first time
✔️ Stronger financial independence for families

What started as a small pilot is now expanding to reach 180,000 Papua New Guineans, strengthening PNG’s ability to protect its most vulnerable.

With support from , Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Save the Children Australia and other partners, PNG is building a stronger social protection system so every child has the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.

LEARN MORE: wrld.bg/HQiq50Xu3Ug
Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea