The World Bank Group now has official observer status at the Pacific Islands Forum.
The Bank says this is an important step forward for cooperation between Pacific governments and development partners as the agency scales up its support to the region.
It has strengthened its activities across the Pacific, including opening four new offices - in Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and last week in Vanuatu.
Over the next three years, the World Bank will make up to 240 million US dollars in grants and concessional financing available to Pacific countries.
