1st MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE FOR REINFORCING COMMITMENT TO MSG, A SUCCESS

PORT VILA, VANUATU (25 March 2024): The Inaugural Committee for Reinforcing Commitment and Obligation towards the MSG (CRCO) was successfully convened at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat on 15 March 2024.

Chaired by Mr Kalfau Kaloris, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of Vanuatu, the CRCO was convened to examine the institutional, regulatory and operational mechanisms in Members’ bureaucracy that might be affecting commitment to, and cohesion of the MSG and the effective implementation of MSG Leaders’ decisions.

The same issues were examined of the Secretariat and suggestions to strengthen its operations, commitment to the MSG and the effective implementation of Leaders mandates were put forward.

During opening statements, Members reaffirmed their commitment towards the MSG and its objectives. They also noted the Secretariat’s efforts to strengthen its operations and capacity needs and undertook to improve their support to the Secretariat with its work. 

Additionally, they reiterated their commitment towards ensuring that the MSG continues to be relevant, and that the cohesion of the Group is further strengthened to ensure it plays an effective leadership role in the region on matters of particular interest to the MSG Members.

Members agreed to the need for adjustments and strengthened cooperation within the MSG Membership in the changing regional and global political and economic landscape.

In terms of Legislative, Members called for the need to review the Agreement Establishing the MSG, among other things, to make it consistent with International Law and practice. The review would ensure a stronger and versatile subregional Organization, that MSG will remain faithful to its original objectives and truthful in the service of its Members interests, and the Organization will remain relevant amidst changing times.

With regards to operational matters, Members urged for concerted efforts to be made to increase the visibility of the MSG as a Group and the Secretariat, and aggressively promote what the MSG does.

Among other things, Members acknowledged the importance of the Committee’s work and agreed for the CRCO to become a Standing Committee of the MSG that would report to the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) directly and endorsed that the outcome of the discussions be presented to and considered by the MSG Governing Bodies.

Committee Members in attendance were Chairman, Mr Kaloris; Ambassador Amena Yauvoli, Fiji’s Ambassador to Indonesia; Mr Patrick Jomessy, Representative of the FLNKS Political Bureau; Mr Elias Wohengu, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea (online) and Ambassador Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands.

𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗬’𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗡𝗚-𝗨𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦; 𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗡𝗚

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟳 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today (27.07.23) met with the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III as Papua New Guinea and USA continue to work at taking their deepening bilateral relation to the next level. 

The visit by Secretary Austin to Port Moresby and his meeting with PM Marape is a follow-up to the signing of two significant agreements – the Defense Cooperation Agreement and the Shiprider Agreement – between the two countries in May this year, undertaken by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and PNG Defense Minster Hon. Win Daki in Port Moresby. 

At today’s bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Marape and Secretary Austin continued to discuss the details and the benefits of the agreements, and United States’ commitment to securing PNG’s sovereignty, as well as its commitment to securing a free and peaceful Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Marape said he appreciated the US’s  “3D approach of Diplomacy and Defense followed by Development”, that is being seen in the recent engagements, and the upcoming visit of the head of USAID to Port Moresby to formally signal this office to report directly to Washington DC instead of through the Manila, Philippines office. 

“I take special note of the purpose of Secretary Austin’s visit  which is to show commitment in defense and security following the singing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement and the Shiprider Agreement during Secretary Blinken’s visit in PNG in May this year,” PM Marape said. 

“The DCA heralds a new chapter in PNG and USA relations, as these agreements form the basis for strengthening and consolidating closer cooperation between our two countries.

“One of the key objectives of the PNG government is for our country to pursue and enhance closer trade and economic ties with key bilateral and multilateral partners, including with the United States under Biden’s leadership. 

“In that connection, PNG views the US as a key partner to enhance and diversify trade and economic relations, either through a bilateral or a regional trade arrangement.

“Consistent with President Biden’s call and challenge to American corporations to develop cleaner technology, the Pacific Island region offers great investment opportunities for US companies through public-private partnerships,” said the Prime Minister. 

PM Marape continued by promoting Papua New Guinea’s expanding potential in agriculture and the supply of fresh organic foods to the world, including the United States, while he encouraged the American business community to take more interest in PNG.

In Climate Change mitigation, also a security issue, Prime Minister Marape reminded the US government through Secretary Austin about the Pacific region’s continued vulnerability to rising sea levels and climate-induced natural calamities, and that all nations with interest in the Pacific must take collective action to follow through on general conversations that have been held repeatedly over time.   

“While we invite the US to pursue its interests in the region from a geopolitical and geostrategic context, I urge the United States to adjust its lens so that it can truly understand the real needs of the region,” said PM Marape. 

PM Marape also highlighted PNG’s impending 50th Independence Anniversary in 2025 and invited US partnership leading up to and its presence at this major national event. 

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FRENCH PRESIDENT VISITS PNG

Two huge Air buses, seven jet fighters, and a packed media crew accompanied the President of the Republic of French his Excellency Emmanuel Macron to Port Moresby around 2300 hours last night.

Prior to President Macron’s official state visit, this is the first time for a sitting president of French to visit Papua New Guinea after his recent visit to Vanuatu and New Caledonia following his Pacific Island Tour.

The president and his delegates were received by Prime Minister James Marape, French Ambassador Mr Guillaume Lemoine, Major General PNGDF Mark Goina, Police commissioner David Manning, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Minister for National Events Justin Tkatchenko, Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu, Motu Koitabu Assembly chairman Dadi Toka Jnr, Hiri Moale cultural dancers, media personnel and extended Papua New Guinea governmental delegates.

A warm welcome reception and guard of honor by the Papua New Guinea Defense Force was given to the president and his acquaintances upon arrival at the Jacksons International APEC terminal.

This morning, the President paid tribute to the Governor General HE Sir. Bob Dadae through an overwhelming visit to the government house at Konedobu and departed for Varirata National Park in Sogeri.

PNG and France Forge Cooperation in Forest Managem3nt, Conservation and Climate Change

Papua New Guinea and the Republic of France have established a landmark cooperation in Forest Management, Conservation, and Climate Change during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister James Marape, and French President , His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, in Port Moresby on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Prime Minister James Marape expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful meeting, emphasising that it paves the way for elevating the long-standing good relations between the two nations to new heights.

The leaders mutually agreed to intensify their collaboration in forest management, conservation, and climate change. 

“This is an issue that I have been passionate about, as many of you know from my interventions at the United Nations level," Prime Minister Marape stated.

Among the key areas of intervention discussed, both leaders have agreed to:

1. Establish an office for expertise from France in Papua New Guinea.

2. Foster cooperation in energy transition initiatives.

3. Allocate funding for works at the Port of Rabaul to enhance its climate resilience.

4. Extend support for green finance in the Pacific region.

"The above interventions clearly demonstrate France's commitment to sustaining its long-term partnership with PNG and the wider Pacific region. This step is highly welcome and timely," Prime Minister Marape said.

During the meeting, President Macron assured Papua New Guinea of France's readiness to allocate a funding of EUR$63 million (K238 million) for the period 2021-2024 under the Forests, Climate Change, and Biodiversity (FCCB) intervention programme in PNG. The Managalas Conservation area in the Northern Province will be one of the projects featured in this programme.

The FCCB will also encompass support for government, community service organisations, private sector, education, and research, complementing and enhancing existing programmes in the country.

On the topic of ongoing private sector engagement, both leaders discussed France's continued investment in the oil and gas sector, particularly in Papua LNG through TotalEnergies EP PNG Ltd. This substantial investment is set to further transform Papua New Guinea's economic landscape and boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the future.

Prime Minister Marape extended an invitation for French companies to participate in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to engage in downstream processing and add value to agriculture, timber, and fisheries products before exporting them to overseas markets.

"To conclude, President Macron and I will count on the support of our Ministers, Officials, and business community to take appropriate actions towards the realisation of these projects," Prime Minister Marape stated.

Reflecting on the significance of the visit, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the historical links between France and Papua New Guinea that date back to the 1800s when the first French Catholic Missionaries arrived on Woodlark Island in the Milne Bay Province, and later to Yule Island in the Central Province. He expressed gratitude for their contributions to the spread of the Catholic religion, education, healthcare, and other essential services that continue to support the country.

The visit by President Macron marks a historical event as the first visit by a French President-in-Office to Papua New Guinea, signifying the strengthening and reshaping of bilateral relations since the formalisation of ties in 1975.

"On behalf of the people of PNG, I extend appreciation to the government of France for their contributions to our development agenda, including our trade relations through the European Union. We are extremely grateful for the support rendered to developing countries like PNG," Prime Minister Marape concluded.

The year 2023 has undoubtedly become a momentous year for Papua New Guinea, with a multitude of global leaders visiting its shores. Prime Minister Marape expressed that such visits are unprecedented since independence and contribute significantly to the country's development priorities, particularly in the realm of Forest Management, Climate Change, and environmental sustainability.

PNG and France Forge Cooperation in Forest Managem3nt, Conservation and Climate Change

Papua New Guinea and the Republic of France have established a landmark cooperation in Forest Management, Conservation, and Climate Change during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister James Marape, and French President , His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, in Port Moresby on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Prime Minister James Marape expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful meeting, emphasising that it paves the way for elevating the long-standing good relations between the two nations to new heights.

The leaders mutually agreed to intensify their collaboration in forest management, conservation, and climate change. 

“This is an issue that I have been passionate about, as many of you know from my interventions at the United Nations level," Prime Minister Marape stated.

Among the key areas of intervention discussed, both leaders have agreed to:

1. Establish an office for expertise from France in Papua New Guinea.

2. Foster cooperation in energy transition initiatives.

3. Allocate funding for works at the Port of Rabaul to enhance its climate resilience.

4. Extend support for green finance in the Pacific region.

"The above interventions clearly demonstrate France's commitment to sustaining its long-term partnership with PNG and the wider Pacific region. This step is highly welcome and timely," Prime Minister Marape said.

During the meeting, President Macron assured Papua New Guinea of France's readiness to allocate a funding of EUR$63 million (K238 million) for the period 2021-2024 under the Forests, Climate Change, and Biodiversity (FCCB) intervention programme in PNG. The Managalas Conservation area in the Northern Province will be one of the projects featured in this programme.

The FCCB will also encompass support for government, community service organisations, private sector, education, and research, complementing and enhancing existing programmes in the country.

On the topic of ongoing private sector engagement, both leaders discussed France's continued investment in the oil and gas sector, particularly in Papua LNG through TotalEnergies EP PNG Ltd. This substantial investment is set to further transform Papua New Guinea's economic landscape and boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the future.

Prime Minister Marape extended an invitation for French companies to participate in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to engage in downstream processing and add value to agriculture, timber, and fisheries products before exporting them to overseas markets.

"To conclude, President Macron and I will count on the support of our Ministers, Officials, and business community to take appropriate actions towards the realisation of these projects," Prime Minister Marape stated.

Reflecting on the significance of the visit, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the historical links between France and Papua New Guinea that date back to the 1800s when the first French Catholic Missionaries arrived on Woodlark Island in the Milne Bay Province, and later to Yule Island in the Central Province. He expressed gratitude for their contributions to the spread of the Catholic religion, education, healthcare, and other essential services that continue to support the country.

The visit by President Macron marks a historical event as the first visit by a French President-in-Office to Papua New Guinea, signifying the strengthening and reshaping of bilateral relations since the formalisation of ties in 1975.

"On behalf of the people of PNG, I extend appreciation to the government of France for their contributions to our development agenda, including our trade relations through the European Union. We are extremely grateful for the support rendered to developing countries like PNG," Prime Minister Marape concluded.

The year 2023 has undoubtedly become a momentous year for Papua New Guinea, with a multitude of global leaders visiting its shores. Prime Minister Marape expressed that such visits are unprecedented since independence and contribute significantly to the country's development priorities, particularly in the realm of Forest Management, Climate Change, and environmental sustainability.