Suva, Fiji | 16 January 2026 – The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) staff strengthened their capacity in climate finance during a three-day workshop held from 14 to 16 January in Suva. The workshop was facilitated and hosted by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). It brought together key FDB teams to refine and validate strategies and loan products aimed at driving Fiji’s sustainable development agenda. 

The workshop focused on finalizing loan products and strategies for Electric Mobility (EM), Renewable Energy (RE), and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). Staff reviewed draft climate finance and foreign exchange (FX) risk management strategy statements and product designs, provided feedback on structure, eligibility, and implementation, and agreed on next steps for operational rollout under FDB’s Climate & Eco-Finance Strategy. 

Acting Chief Risk Officer for FDB, Ms Setaita Tamanikaiyaroi, opened the workshop, emphasizing the importance of climate-resilient finance. She remarked, “This workshop marked a turning point. The decisions made here will determine whether FDB finances yesterday’s risks or tomorrow’s resilience. By prioritizing resilience, Fiji strengthens its future. There’s truth in the saying, ‘many hands make light work.’ When our teams move together, heavy tasks become lighter and big shifts become possible. Recent pilots in Fiji show parametric climate insurance delivering rapid payouts after heavy rainfall, helping MSMEs restart fast proof that resilience finance can beat ‘borrow to maintain the status quo.’ Our aim is to move from debt-funded business-as-usual to investments that build climate and environmental resilience.”

Participants engaged with technical presentations on FDB’s loan products for EM, RE, and CCA and FX Risk Management Strategy, the revised Climate & Eco-Finance Strategy. Sessions highlighted operationalizing climate-resilient finance through outcome-focused lending, risk-reducing features, and robust monitoring and reporting systems. FDB teams across credit risk, product policy, ICT, finance, and relationship management collaborated to embed resilience in lending practices. 

GGGI Polynesia Country Representative, Ms Shomi Kim, welcomed the workshop participants, stating, “Achieving Fiji’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets is fundamentally a financing challenge. Fiji Development Bank (FDB) is uniquely positioned to develop financial products that promote renewable energy, sustainable transport, and climate-resilient investments while being able to access global climate finance to use it as a risk-mitigation mechanism. We are living in an era where clean technologies are increasingly becoming mainstream. Yet, for many users and businesses in Fiji, price barriers remain real and significant. By offering climate-resilient loan products, FDB is not only providing financial services but also sending a strong signal to the market: Resilience is bankable.”

The workshop marked the culmination of a year-long technical assistance project, strengthening FDB’s readiness as Fiji’s national climate-finance intermediary. The effort included developing loan specifications, technical documents, and market studies to support climate-smart investments across sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, electric mobility, and renewable energy. 

With Fiji’s renewable energy financing gap exceeding US$5.6 billion, electric mobility opportunities at FJD 680 million, and climate adaptation finance demand projected at FJD 132 million for sustainable agriculture alone, the workshop reinforced FDB’s critical role in mobilizing finance that supports inclusive and resilient growth. 

The workshop concluded with validated loan product frameworks, a consensus on implementation plans, and a clear roadmap for scaling climate-resilient investments across Fiji. 

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GGGI Pacific (Regional Office)    

Enerelt Enkhbold, Green Investment Officer| enerelt.enkhbold@gggi.org  

Kelly Vacala, Regional Communications & Knowledge Sharing Lead| 

kelly.vacala@gggi.com