CBSI & Griffith University Conference & Leaders Forum in Honiara

Central Bank of Solomon Islands and Australia’s Griffith University to Host 4th Annual Pacific Research Conference and Leaders’ Forum in Honiara

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) and Australia’s Griffith University are co- hosting the 4th Annual Pacific Research Conference and Leaders’ Forum this week (26th- 27th June) at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel in Honiara. The Conference is a key initiative of Griffith University’s Pacific Islands Centre for Development Policy and Research (PICDPR), and is one of the leading annual events in the region in the fields of macroeconomic research and Central Banking.

More than 20 delegates from the region will travel to Honiara to attend the Conference, including from the Central Banks of Fiji, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Palau and the Office of the Banking Commission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The two-day event will also be attended by approximately 60 domestic participants, from various Government and stakeholder institutions, including the Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT).

CBSI Governor Dr. Luke Forau welcomed the nomination of CBSI as Conference host:

“This is the first time CBSI acts as the host and sponsor of this regional event, together with Griffith University”, Governor Forau stated.

“The theme selected for this year is: ‘The Business of Finance in PICs: Balancing Profitability and Access to Finance.’”

Governor Forau emphasized the importance of this theme, noting its potential to create opportunities for extensive discussions in research, policy development, and collaboration in finance for economic growth.

The Griffith-PICs annual regional conference brings together Pacific policymakers with academics, regulators, multilateral organizations, business leaders, and civil society from the wider Asia-Pacific region. The event aims to facilitate the sharing of current research on the Pacific.

Additionally, the Leaders’ Forum will provide a platform for regional leaders, such as Governors and Ministers, to share insights into the opportunities and challenges facing their economies, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. This forum represents a unique convergence of high-profile speakers and offers a rare opportunity for interaction and engagement.

The conference is scheduled to commence on 26th June, and will run until 27th June, 2024.

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