World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, recently concluded a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where she focused on advancing new strategies for job creation, economic resilience, and delivering faster, more effective development outcomes in the Pacific region. The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships and bring global expertise closer to local governments and communities facing mounting challenges from climate shocks and economic uncertainty.
During her visit, Ms. Bjerde announced reforms to the World Bank’s procurement policies, requiring that companies bidding for international civil works contracts—such as infrastructure development—allocate at least 30 percent of labor costs to local workers. This shift is intended to ensure more inclusive growth and generate employment opportunities within project-affected communities.
Ms. Bjerde emphasized the importance of job creation, particularly for youth, as a central pillar of the World Bank’s development support. She highlighted the unique challenges facing Pacific nations, including slowing global growth and climate vulnerability, but praised their efforts to pioneer regional solutions and invest in long-term inclusive development.
In Fiji, she participated in the Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting and underscored the need for improved financial connectivity for smaller island nations. The World Bank is already supporting a regional correspondent banking initiative that is operational in eight countries, with more expected to join.
In Papua New Guinea, Ms. Bjerde held discussions with Prime Minister James Marape and visited youth engaged in a World Bank-supported urban employment program. She stressed that inclusive job creation is vital for national development and central to the Bank’s broader mission of fostering prosperity.
Her visit also highlighted the World Bank Group’s expanded presence in the Pacific, which now includes new director-level roles in Suva and Port Moresby, along with a substantial increase in technical staff throughout the region. This expansion is aimed at improving the speed and quality of support delivered to Pacific governments.
Over the past 12 years, the World Bank’s operations in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific have grown more than seven-fold, reaching a total of 86 active operations with commitments valued at $3.4 billion. In fiscal year 2025, about half of the Bank’s Pacific investment was dedicated to climate-related initiatives focused on resilience and long-term sustainability.
Ms. Bjerde concluded her trip in Australia, where she met with senior officials and development partners to discuss enhancing cooperation in the Pacific. Discussions also focused on Australia’s pivotal role in supporting the region and contributing to the International Development Association (IDA), which provides concessional funding to Papua New Guinea and most Pacific Island countries.
