Apia, Samoa | 21 January 2026 – Samoa’s financial sector is stepping up its commitment to sustainability with a one-day Sustainable Finance and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration training held in Apia. The workshop, organized by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Climate Finance Advisors Network (CFAN), with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Central Bank of Samoa (CBS), brought together 42 leaders and specialists, of whom 70% are females, from CBS, commercial banks and insurance companies. 

In her opening remarks, CBS Governor Ms. Maiava Atalina Ainuu-Enari highlighted the urgency of integrating sustainable practices into financial decision-making “The purpose of this workshop is to enhance awareness and build capacity of Samoa’s financial institutions on sustainable finance and ESG considerations, especially in risk management, product development, investor engagement, and supervisory expectations.”  She highlighted the critical role of Samoa’s financial institutions in mobilising finance to support a climate-resilient and sustainable economy. 

Her message underscored the Central Bank’s determination to guide Samoa’s financial system toward resilience and sustainability. 

GGGI Polynesia Country Representative Ms. Shomi Kim reinforced the practical focus of the training: “What truly moves the financial sector is not complex terminology, but a clear message; that what institutions are already doing can be strengthened and scaled to raise capital for sustainable projects.” 

The training combined expert sessions with hands-on exercises, introducing participants to key sustainable finance concepts and international frameworks, and enabling participants to identify, assess, and manage ESG risks, integrate those in financial decisions, identify and develop sustainable finance instruments, design sustainable projects, and measure and disclose impact. 

The workshop reflected strong female participation and diverse representation across Samoa’s financial sector, from senior management to operational staff, fostering rich discussions and peer learning. It forms part of the Central Bank of Samoa’s broader efforts to build a greener and more resilient financial system and economy for Samoa. 

By equipping financial institutions with practical ESG tools, this initiative positions Samoa as a regional leader in sustainable finance, capable of mobilizing capital for climate-resilient, inclusive, and impact-driven development. 

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For more information, visit:  https://gggi.org  

GGGI Pacific (Regional Office)   

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

Kelly Vacala, Regional Communications & Knowledge Sharing Lead| kelly.vacala@gggi.com