LocationsUNDP and ANZ reaffirm their commitment to financial literacy across the Pacific
September 26, 2022
Sophia Tale sharing her experience to the ANZ and UNDP team.
Suva, Fiji - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ANZ have reaffirmed their commitment that “no one is left behind” as they met in Suva to recognise the success of their ongoing partnership to deliver financial literacy in municipal markets and rural communities across Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
ANZ Regional Executive Pacific, Sarah Stubbings said, “We’ve been partnering with UNDP since 2020 to deliver financial literacy training to some of the most vulnerable groups in the community. This meeting was an important chance to reconnect and discuss ways to expand our partnership into the future,” Ms Stubbings said.
As part of the UNDP’s Markets for Change Project, ANZ’s flagship financial literacy program, MoneyMinded, has been delivered in all 14 provinces of Fiji with close to 1,000 rural farmers and market vendors benefitting. In Vanuatu, 200 farmers and market vendors have taken part in the training with a further 29 women from Munda in Solomon Islands having the opportunity to improve their financial wellbeing.
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Deputy Resident representative Yemesrach Workie said, “Through ANZ’s MoneyMinded program, financial literacy and basic business skills training was delivered to young people, women, and vulnerable groups in the targeted countries.”
Peter Parussini, General Manager Public, Consumer & Government Affairs – New Zealand & Pacific ANZ Bank
Sarah Stubbings, ANZ Regional Executive Pacific
“With ANZ's support, more than 2,000 rural women market vendors and farmers across five Pacific countries have received financial literacy training,” Ms Workie said.
The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji through its Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025 highlights the importance of gender equality as a matter of human rights, a driver of development progress and strongly emphasizes and promotes gender equality as smart economics.
“UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji remains committed to being at the forefront of efforts to promote the empowerment of women and girls, particularly in our Pacific programming, and through our partnership, ANZ plays a critical role,” Ms. Workie added.
Sophia Talei, a market vendor in Suva for more than a decade, said the program allowed her to reflect on her personal and family aspirations and helped her to diversify from selling vegetables and root crops to now selling funeral wreaths.
Susana Domo, a Nausori municipal market vendor, said the MoneyMinded program has helped her cut down on unnecessary spending and preserve more money for her business.
UNDP and ANZ representatives with Suva market vendors at the event.
For more information, please contact:
Akosita Talei, Communications Officer, Inclusive Growth Programme, UNDP; email: akosita.ratumaimuri@undp.org or Victoria Kanevsky, ANZ; email: victoria.kanevsky@anz.com.
