The PNG Government should prioritise funding to embassies that have more responsibilities.
This is the view of the PNG Ambassador to Belgium, Joshua Kalinoe.
The embassy in Brussels is the only Papua New Guinean representation in Belgium.
Head of Mission Joshua Kalinoe says when it comes to funding and resource allocation, Belgium should top the Government’s list as it is one of the foreign missions that brings in added value to the country, especially in terms of securing technical assistance from international bodies, trade and development systems.
“Belgium, New York, Suva and London and maybe the fifth one would be Canberra,” he said.
“But Canberra, really there’s nothing to be done because the aid program is managed by a big Australian group of people in Port Moresby.”
Ambassador Kalinoe was instrumental in the securing of technical assistance from UNESCO, World Trade Organization as well as laboratory equipment, like the radiotherapy machine at ANGAU.
These and other international obligations require manpower, which the embassy lacks.
Ambassador Kalinoe said they currently have four staff members, but have space for 10 more, including officers from specialist departments like trade, commerce, agriculture and even education for UNESCO.
(Ambassador Joshua Kalinoe)