State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad inaugurated a four-day joint learning programme on inclusive green finance policy implementation in Islamabad, bringing together 38 participants from central banks and financial regulators of 24 countries.
Organised by the SBP and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the programme aims to translate green finance policies into practical measures and strengthen international cooperation.
Addressing the inaugural session, Ahmad said climate change and financial exclusion were closely interconnected, with small farmers, small businesses and low-income households particularly vulnerable to climate shocks due to limited access to formal financial services.
Referring to Pakistan’s 2022 floods, he said the disaster caused nearly $15 billion in physical damage and another $15 billion in economic losses, affecting more than 30 million people and damaging 2.2 million homes.
The governor said financial inclusion in Pakistan had reached 71%, while the gender gap had narrowed to 27%. He highlighted the SBP’s initiatives, including the Pakistan Green Taxonomy, climate-related financial risk regulations and Climate Stress Testing Guidelines issued in December 2025.
He also underscored efforts to expand women’s access to finance and strengthen climate resilience, stressing that policy success depended on effective implementation and its impact on people’s lives.
AFI Director of Strategy, Member Engagement and Evaluation Aban Haq and World Bank Operations Manager Lasse Melgaard also highlighted the importance of international knowledge-sharing and collaboration in advancing inclusive and sustainable green finance.
Held for the first time in Pakistan, the programme is expected to strengthen cooperation among participating countries and promote climate-resilient financial systems.
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