International Court rules in favor of Pacific Island states

The International Court of Justice has ruled in favour of Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries, stating that these countries have legal obligations to prevent and address the harmful impacts of climate change.

The court, in its Advisory Opinion, found that the countries have binding legal obligations under international law and customary international law to prevent and address the harmful impacts of climate change.

The decision follows a request from the United Nations General Assembly for an Advisory Opinion regarding the climate change obligation of states. The initiative for this Advisory Opinion was championed at the United Nations by Vanuatu, inspired by a youth-led campaign calling for climate justice and legal accountability. This youth-driven movement underscored the urgency of international legal action in response to the worsening climate crisis.

According to the Minister for Justice and Attorney General Pila Niningi, PNG was among other countries that made an oral submission to the World Court, advocating for stronger legal accountability in the face of rising global emissions. The case was heard in December 2024.

“In our submission, we rallied with Vanuatu and other countries for this outcome. We are pleased with the outcome,” Minister Niningi said.

Minister Niningi led PNG’s representation which included PNG Ambassador to the United Nations Fred Sarufa, Secretary for the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) Dr Eric Kwa, Public Solicitor Leslie Mamu, and then Acting Solicitor General E'ava Geita. The team also comprised DJAG lawyers, Office of the Public Solicitor, and the Climate Change and Development Authority.

The World Court made the following key findings:

• States must take action under both international treaties (e.g., UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, UNCLOS) and customary international law to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and protect the climate system;

• Due diligence standards are high: States must adopt and enforce robust legal, regulatory, and policy activities to prevent environmental harm. Small Island Developing States were specifically recognized as especially vulnerable and legal protection from climate-related harm;

• States that breach their obligations, through acts or omissions, can be held responsible under international law for resulting harm to other States, peoples, and future generations;

• The Court recognized climate change as a human rights issue, affirming the interdependence between environmental protection and rights to life, health, water, housing, and a clean and sustainable environment.

The Court's Opinion carries significant legal and political weight, and will;

• Strengthen the legal basis for SIDS and vulnerable nations to demand meaningful climate action and support;

• Serve as an authoritative guide for interpreting and applying international climate treaties, especially in the context of litigation and policy-making;

• Provide a legal foundation for holding major emitters accountable where their emissions cause significant harm;

• Reinforce Papua New Guinea's efforts to pursue international cooperation, climate financing, and technical assistance as a matter of legal entitlement, not charity;

• Support integration of international climate and human rights standards into national laws, policies, and enforcement frameworks.

“This is a moment of immense pride for Papua New Guinea. Our voice was heard at the world's highest court,” Minister Niningi said. “The ruling confirms that climate justice is not just a political goal, it is a legal imperative.”

“I encourage all relevant agencies to use this decision to strengthen our domestic laws, advocate internationally, and protect our people and ecosystems for generations to come.

“Papua New Guinea reaffirms its commitment to working in solidarity with other small island nations and the international community to achieve effective, equitable, and legally grounded climate action,” Niningi added.

MSG AT PACIFIC REGIONAL & NATIONAL SECURITY MEET

SUVA, FIJI (14 July 2025): The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is currently part of the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, a three-day gathering of the region’s security experts, academic, political, business and civil society representatives, including regional and national officials. 

Organised by the Australian National University’s Pacific Security College, the conference was opened by Fiji’s Prime Minister, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa. 

Discussions as part of Pacific Peace, Security and Defence; Climate Security; and Partnerships, in support of the Ocean of Peace concept, included the need for more collaboration within the Blue Pacific, clarity in partnerships to best align support to Pacific priorities, good governance and mutual respect, among others.

The MSG Secretariat is represented by Acting Director General, Ilan Kiloe; Security Advisor, Ilaitia Caginavanua and Media & Communications Officer, Ana Tudrau-Tamani.

Joint statement of the US-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

May 22, 2023

We—the Pacific Islands Forum, represented at this meeting by the governments of Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, and the United States of America—meet on the occasion of the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on May 22, 2023.

At the first ever U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit in Washington, D.C. in September 2022, we announced the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership. Today, we reaffirm our shared vision for a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity.

We are committed to bolstering Pacific regionalism, with a strong and united Pacific Islands Forum at its center. We will continue to work together to tackle shared challenges such as the climate crisis, to advance inclusive economic growth and social equity for the people of the Pacific and to jointly advocate on shared priorities.

We reaffirm our commitment to comprehensively address the legacies of conflict and the promotion of nuclear nonproliferation, and we acknowledge the nuclear legacy of the Cold War. We remain committed to addressing the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ ongoing environmental, public health concerns, and other welfare concerns.

We support the vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and recognise its centrality in the strengthening partnership between the United States and the Pacific Islands Forum. This meeting builds on three decades of close cooperation between the United States and the Pacific Islands Forum and we look forward to the Second U.S. – Pacific Islands Forum Summit in 2023.

Finally, and most importantly, we commend and acknowledge the warm hospitality of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea for hosting this Dialogue. 

[ENDS] 

https://www.forumsec.org/2023/05/23/release-joint-statement-of-the-us-pacific-islands-forum-leaders-dialogue-in-png-may-22-2023/

PORT MORESBY SHINES AS GATEWAY TO PNG AND REGION: HOSTING WORLD LEADERS WITH PRIDE!

#PNGSUNnews: #AmazingPortMoresby is thrilled to host world leaders arriving for the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation and the US-Pacific meetings, reaffirming its position as the gateway to Papua New Guinea and the region.

 Building on the success of the 2018 APEC Leaders' Summit, the city has become a dynamic hub for global events.

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop and City Manager, Mr Ravu Frank, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the city is ready. Roads are being fixed, the city is being spruced up, and cultural activities are being organized to showcase our diverse culture.

Governor Parkop stressed the importance of showing respect and good behaviour to the visiting leaders. With the global spotlight on Port Moresby and the entire country, this is a valuable opportunity to showcase the best of our nation to the world.

With 13 leaders arriving, including the Fijian Prime Minister and India's Modi, this historic visit will garner international attention. President Biden has reportedly cancelled his visit to PNG and Australia.

 Governor Parkop emphasized the need to seize this window of opportunity and actively engage city residents, including students, in extending a warm welcome to the leaders.

Let's embrace this moment with immense pride as Port Moresby shines brightly, putting Papua New Guinea on the global map!