REMARKS: Secretary General Waqa; Launch of the World Bank Group’s Small States Strategy

Excellencies, distinguished Vice Presidents of the World Bank Group: 
Mr Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Ms Gallina Vincelette, and the Vice 
President of the IFC for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Sarvesh Suri
Honourable Ministers of Finance  
Dear Excellencies, 
Senior Officials of the World Bank and of Pacific Islands Forum 
members 
Distinguished guests 
Ladies and gentlemen,

Ekamawir omo, bula vinaka and good afternoon to you all.  
It is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome the three distinguished Vice Presidents of the World Bank to our shores, and to join you for the launch of the World Bank Group Small States Strategy, a landmark initiative for the future of Pacific small island states.

2. Your presence reflects the World Bank’s strong commitment to understanding the diverse realities of Pacific countries, where development progress varies across the region.

Excellencies,  
3. Small island developing States in the Pacific face profound vulnerability, shaped by geographical isolation, limited economic diversification, high exposure to climate and economic shocks, fragile infrastructure and constrained institutional capacity. The challenges that our Pacific countries face in these unprecedented times have raised our commitment to asserting our common values and concerns, and building our collective voice amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and the existential threat of climate change that looms for all of our Pacific family.

4. Our strength lies in our resilience, our rich culture and traditions, and the shared aspirations of Pacific peoples to build thriving, sustainable communities for future generations.

5. It is for these reasons that today’s launch is truly significant.
It is a bold step by the World Bank Group to recognise the unique context of Small States, including the Pacific Small States, and introduce a fit-for-purpose, targeted, and transformational framework that turn shared aspirations into sustainable growth, resilience, and prosperity.

7. This reflects what the Pacific has long called for: bold, ambitious, and transformational change that moves beyond dialogue to delivery, because business as usual is no longer sufficient for our future.

8. I warmly commend the World Bank Group for this decisive action.
The Lighthouse Initiatives, as a coordinating platform, are a game-changer - aligning resources, harmonising efforts, and leveraging knowledge to amplify impact and deliver lasting impact for our communities. 

10. I also acknowledge the World Bank Group’s strategic approach in tailoring support to our Blue Pacific region, ensuring interventions are focused, targeted, and responsive to the unique realities of Pacific Small Island States.  
11. Small Island States face vulnerabilities that income alone cannot measure. The Multidimensional Vulnerability Index provides a practical way forward, and we encourage the World Bank to embed the MVI into its allocation criteria, ensuring that development finance truly reflects exposure to shocks and resilience needs.

12. Looking ahead, this Strategy must serve as a platform for collective action, where governments, development partners, and all stakeholders align priorities, coordinate investments, and scale solutions that are grounded in Pacific realities.

13. I strongly encourage development partners to collaborate in similar ways, tailoring support to our contexts, aligning with regional priorities, including through our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and delivering practical, responsive, and fit-for-purpose solutions for the long-term benefit of Pacific peoples.

14. With these few words Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, and Colleagues, I am honoured to launch the World Bank Group Small States Strategy, and I look forward to impactful collaboration with the World Bank Group in the years ahead for the benefit of our Blue Pacific region.

15. Tubwa  Kor, I thank you.