Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was at the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM8) in Japan on May 18.
The PALM Summit is held every three years in Japan, bringing Pacific Island nations together in discussion with Japan to develop initiatives for regional growth and cooperation.
Held in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, the theme for the two-day Leaders’ Meeting was “We are Islanders – Partnership towards Prosperous, Free and Open Pacific”.
Prime Minister O’Neill welcomed the talks that he said will provide an opportunity for the region to engage with Japan on issues of mutual interest.
“Japan is very much involved in projects that strengthen economic advancement and enhance community development around the Pacific,” O’Neill said.
“Papua New Guinea is working with Japan on a number of initiatives that are strengthening infrastructure in our country, particularly as we prepare to host the APEC Summit in November.
“This includes the Port Moresby sewage system upgrade project, the reconstruction of bridges in East New Britain and capacity building support through the volunteers program.”
The PALM Leaders’ Summit was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Japan and the Prime Minister of Samoa, as the current Chair of the Pacific Island Forum.