SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad inaugurates a four-day international programme, bringing together 38 participants from 24 countries to strengthen inclusive and climate-resilient financial systems.
ISLAMABAD, November 3, 2026: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad has inaugurated a four-day joint learning programme organised by the SBP and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) on inclusive green finance policy implementation in Islamabad.
The programme brings together 38 international participants representing central banks and financial regulators from 24 countries across four continents. It aims to translate policy commitments into practical implementation and promote climate-resilient financial systems.
Addressing the inaugural session, Ahmad said climate change and financial exclusion were deeply interconnected, with smallholder farmers, micro and small enterprises and low-income households facing the greatest climate risks while having limited access to insurance, savings and formal financial services.
He emphasised that climate finance should not only support green investments but also help communities anticipate risks, build resilience and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Highlighting Pakistan’s experience, the Governor recalled the devastating floods of 2022, which caused approximately $15 billion in physical damage and another $15 billion in economic losses. The disaster affected more than 30 million people and damaged 2.2 million homes.
He said Pakistan’s financial inclusion had reached 71%, while the gender gap had narrowed to 27%. The country is also sharing its Green Taxonomy and climate risk framework with regulators across the AFI network.
SBP’s green finance initiatives
The Governor outlined the central bank’s regulatory measures, including the Green Banking Guidelines (2017), Environmental and Social Risk Management Framework (2022), Pakistan Green Taxonomy and regulations on climate-related financial risks.
He also highlighted the Climate Stress Testing Guidelines introduced in December 2025 to help financial institutions assess their exposure to climate-related shocks.
On women’s financial inclusion, Ahmad highlighted the Pakistan Women Inclusive Finance Programme, supported by the Asian Development Bank. Pakistan also joined the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code in 2025, with the SBP serving as the financial industry’s anchor institution.
The Governor said the programme would facilitate knowledge-sharing on green finance, climate-smart agriculture, gender-related barriers and practical policy implementation.
AFI Director of Strategy, Member Engagement and Evaluation Aban Haq and World Bank Operations Manager Lasse Melgaard also addressed the inaugural session, emphasising the importance of international cooperation and sharing successful approaches to sustainable finance.
Conducted for the first time in Pakistan, the programme reflects the SBP’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable finance through international partnerships and practical policy implementation.