Tuesday 04th April 2023
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, stressed on the lack of commitment and effective collaboration by industrialized countries, with smaller island developing countries like Papua New Guinea, on impacts of climate change.
Mr Tkatchenko made his remarks as panelist at the opening of the Boao Development forum, in China, on ‘Weather and Climate Change’, on 29 March 2023.
“PNG as a carbon emission absorber and third largest rainforest nation in the world, has been a victim of the climate change calamity which it has not been a major contributor to.
“The industrialized nations must do more to assist developing and small island countries that are at the frontlines of the climate change phenomenon with financial and technical assistance to manage the climate change negative impacts” Minister Tkatchenko commented.
Foreign Minister Tkatchenko addressed the forum on the rigid and cumbersome processes and procedures in accessing the funds from the International Organizations like Climate Funds, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI ), among others.
“Whilst we are fighting with the systems, the impacts of climate change and extreme weather is taking toll on lives, economies, infrastructure and affecting lifestyle of our people.”
Minister Tkatchenko said Papua New Guinea would rather opt to engage more with bilateral partners the easiest and efficient way of attending to climate change negative effects, rather than going through the established multilateral mechanisms.
“Cooperation and collaboration with bilateral partners the preferred option that PNG will be inclined towards and looked forward to working with bilateral partners like China in building our capacities and capabilities in dealing with extreme weather effects and climate change impacts.”
Papua New Guinea and China are looking forward to concluding a bilateral partnership on disaster management and climate change cooperation which was negotiated by both countries last year 2022.
State Counselor Mr. Qin Gang said the Chinese Government with the signing of this bilateral arrangement will enable it to provide both technical and financial assistance to the PNG Government in responding to natural disasters and climate change negative effects.
Both countries are also looking forward to renewing discussions to have direct flights from Port Moresby to Shangai under the signed PNG – CHINA Air Services Agreement of 2016.
Minister Tkatchenko said this will increase people to people exchange and to promote tourism between the two countries.
Meanwhile senior officials will commence discussions on this bilateral arrangement in due course.
The Boao Forum of Asia (BFA0 is an annual development event organized to promote economic integration in Asia and its partner countries around the world with an aim to pool resources for the development of Asia and the world.