History was made when one of Papua New Guinea’s senior diplomats received an Imperial Award from Japan.
Ambassador Michael Maue was bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on March 3.
This is the second highest award after the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, which Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare received earlier.
“Ambassador Maue would be the first recipient from PNG to be bestowed this award,” says the Papua New Guinea Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
“Maue, from Koge village in Simbu Province, is a career diplomat who retired from the PNG Foreign Service in February 2012 after having worked 34 years in the public service.
“He served in several PNG overseas missions, namely Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium), Paris (Republic of France), Canberra (Commonwealth of Australia) and Tokyo from June 2002 to September 2009.”
Some of his notable achievements during his tenure in Japan include:
- His contribution to the establishment of the Japan/PNG Association;
- The introduction of the PNG Independence Golf Tournament in 2002. The objective was to socialise and promote friendship among PNG diplomats and Japanese public;
- Led PNG delegation to negotiations with Japanese authorities to successfully secure the second slot for Air Niugini to land at Narita International Airport;
- In 2006, in cooperation with senior officials in the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, took 40 oil and gas companies to PNG to meet with political leaders, bureaucrats and industry personnel to establish contacts, be briefed on Government policies and explore opportunities in the oil and gas sector;
- To top it all off, Amb Maue was responsible for the planning, execution and successful construction of the PNG Embassy building in Tokyo. It was christened the Sir Albert Maori Kiki Building, named after the first foreign minister at PNG’s independence. This building, in the shape of the lagatoi, will save money spent on rented premises and more importantly, leave a lasting legacy of PNG’s enduring friendship with Japan.