Fiji Day Celebration Commemorate
October 13, 2026
The Minister for Finance, Hon. Esrom Immanuel, commenced his official engagements at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Thailand with high-level bilateral discussions focused on strengthening Fiji’s development partnerships, mobilising private investment and advancing key national priorities.
Held from 12 to 18 October 2026, the Annual Meetings bring together more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries, including finance ministers, central bank governors, economic policymakers and business leaders to discuss global economic developments and strategies for sustainable growth.
On the first day of his engagements, Minister Immanuel met with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President for East and South East Asia and the Pacific, Mr Scott Morris and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Sarvesh Suri.
During discussions with the ADB, Minister Immanuel acknowledged the Bank’s longstanding partnership with Fiji and expressed appreciation for its continued support across critical sectors, including infrastructure, water and sanitation, transport, health, energy, public financial management and economic reforms.
The Minister emphasised the importance of continued access to concessional financing, grants, technical assistance and policy support as Fiji navigates fiscal pressures while addressing the impacts of climate change and external economic shocks.
Mr Morris reaffirmed the ADB’s commitment to supporting investment opportunities and economic growth in Fiji, acknowledging the Fijian Government’s continued commitment to the partnership.
Minister Immanuel also congratulated Mr Suri on his appointment as IFC Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the IFC to mobilise private sector investment and support sustainable economic development.
Discussions with the IFC and the wider World Bank Group focused on investment opportunities across several of Fiji’s development priorities, including the proposed Lautoka and Ba hospital Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, affordable housing development, the transition to renewable energy, airport modernisation and financing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The IFC is also expanding its presence in Suva to strengthen engagement with the Fijian Government and private sector with the aim of accelerating investment opportunities and supporting private sector development.
As part of his official engagements, Minister Immanuel also delivered remarks at the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action meeting, highlighting the importance of integrating climate action and climate considerations into economic policymaking and development financing frameworks.
The Minister emphasised the need to ensure that climate policies are central to economic and development planning, particularly as vulnerable economies such as Fiji work to strengthen resilience, manage fiscal pressures and respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
These engagements reflect the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening international partnerships, attracting investment and advancing Fiji’s development priorities through collaboration with multilateral development partners.
Minister Immanuel is accompanied by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the Permanent Secretary for Finance and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance.
