CENTRAL bankers and finance officials from across the Pacific will attempt to improve national payment systems and modernise the Pacific economy through discussions in Fiji this week.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the World Bank Group, will convene the Pacific Fast Payments Systems Workshop from 3–5 December 2025 in Nadi.
The three-day workshop forms part of the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships (CBR) Project, funded under the World Bank-supported regional programme and led by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Central bank governors, senior finance officials, and policy leaders will examine global trends in fast payments, including risk management, fraud prevention, new technologies, overlay services, and cross-border interlinking.
More than 120 global jurisdictions operate fast payment systems and the workshop aims to bring these global innovations to the Pacific, supporting national payment system reforms, improving cross-border payments, and strengthening financial inclusion across Forum member countries.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said the workshop would draw on lessons from Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East where similar World Bank–led knowledge exchanges had been held.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, said there was a link between the workshop and support for families and businesses.
“Fast, secure, and affordable payments are essential to a modern Pacific economy. By strengthening our financial systems and improving the way money moves across borders, we are directly supporting families, businesses, and governments across our Blue Pacific Continent,’’ Waqa said.
“This workshop is an opportunity for our region to learn from global best practice and chart a collective pathway toward a more connected, inclusive, and resilient financial future,” said Waqa.
Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor, Ariff Ali, said fast payments were a fundamental evolution enabling seamless payment experiences.
“Its significance lies in its ability to drive financial inclusion, accelerate digital transformation, enhance cross-border connectivity and foster sustainable economic development,’’ Ali said.
“This workshop will help us explore the latest innovations in fast payment systems, examine the regulatory landscape, discuss opportunities for adoption, challenges involved and share best practices for effective implementation.”