World Bank Appoints New Division Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu

New Port Moresby based position to deepen partnership and accelerate development results

PORT MORESBY, September 18, 2025 - The World Bank has announced the appointment of Han Fraeters as the World Bank's Division Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, effective September 16, 2025.

Mr. Fraeters' appointment comes at a critical juncture for Papua New Guinea as it marks 50 years since its independence and 50 years of partnership with the World Bank Group. This first-time appointment of a Director level position based in Port Moresby reflects the World Bank's commitment to moving Bank leadership closer to clients, marking a global shift toward faster, more effective, and higher-impact development support.

"I am honored to assume this role at such a critical time in the Pacific," said Han Fraeters, World Bank's Division Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. "Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu face urgent challenges. But their extraordinary human, natural and cultural wealth also provides enormous opportunities. I look forward to working closely with partners, from the public and the private sector, and with communities, to identify and implement ambitious and sustainable solutions for those challenges that will benefit the people of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Job creation will be central to the approach."

Over the past 12 years, the World Bank has expanded its portfolio more than sevenfold across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, with current commitments standing at US$3.4 billion.

Fraeters will thus oversee significant investments across Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu focusing on energy, human development and other sectors to help countries build a more resilient future for their communities.

These investments include the landmark Learning Enhancement and Access Project in Papua New Guinea that aims to transform early learning for hundreds of thousands of children; and the Tina River Hydropower Development Project in Solomon Islands the country's first large-scale renewable energy project set to supply over 70% of Honiara's electricity demand with clean, renewable energy.

Han Fraeters, a Belgian national, brings over 20 years of experience with the World Bank, mostly in Africa and at its Washington DC headquarters. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked as a digital transformation specialist in Europe's education sector.