ABG

ABG’s focus on economic independence

When thanking the National Government for facilitating their inaugural trade and investment trip to the Solomon Islands, President Toroama said he will equally provide leadership in creating an economic environment conducive to maintaining the principle of self-reliance.

“An environment in which every Bougainville citizen builds and develops an economy that can be operated by one’s own efforts by relying on one’s own natural resources using every available technology and through one’s own creative labour and knowledge,” he stated.

ABG thanks national gov’t

The ABG went on an inaugural official trade and investment visit from November 26th-29th.

ABG and Solomon Islands officials met in Honiara and signed the Record of Discussions on Trade and Investment between Solomon Islands and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Buin Immigration Office Opened

There to witness the opening was Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu, Minister for Immigration & Border Security Westly Nukundj and Australian High Commissioner, Johnathan Philp.

The opening of South Bougainville’s Buin International Immigration office now recognized as a significant event and since PNG received its independence in 1975, this is the first time in history that an immigration office has been set up in Buin.

ABG launches new campaign

The campaign: ‘Bougainville Stand Up Strong – Get Vaccinated! (Bougainville Sanap Strong – Kisim COVID Banis Sut) ‘features vibrant first term politicians Minister for Police, Emmanuel Kaetavara, and Women’s Member for North Bougainville, Amanda Masono, school principal Finlyn Mamats, and a range of health workers.

Minister Kaetavara said, “As political leaders, we must lead by example. By getting vaccinated, I can help protect myself, my family and my community.”

Bougainville Cocoa Wins Gold

The samples were grown through a research project supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), as part of the PNG Australia Partnership. 

The win follows nearly nine months of judging, with cocoa samples from all over the world submitted to the prestigious competition. Seven other countries from the Asia Pacific region received gold during an awards ceremony last week. 

UOG Opens Campus In Arawa

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) Education Minister, Thoenila Matbob, officiated the signing of the Arawa UOG IDFL campus last Friday, 3rd December to celebrate the opening of the campus and first enrollment in 2022.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government Education Department Acting Secretary, Mary Remi also signed as witness from the Education authority on the ground.

The event was small but a very significant one as it was in line with the education department’s agenda towards getting full autonomy with an educated population at its helm.

PM: Parliament Will Decide on B’ville Independence

Prime Minister Marape responded by stating the importance of the consultations adding that it was as challenging as the issues affecting the country’s economy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There can be no greater issue facing our government, our country when one part of our county decides or has decided to break away and be an independent nation,” he said.

PM Marape said he will be releasing a statement next week about the discussions during the consultations so that Parliament is guided and citizens are aware outcome of the dialogue.

First Leaders Consultation

Prime Minister James Marape and President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama committed to ensuring that the consultation process is guided by the principles of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), and that both sides find a practical and acceptable solution that is beneficial to Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Region.

The outcomes, which they have directed the National and Bougainville technical teams to:

Toroama Focused On Joint Consultations

He said these joint consultations can put forward Bougainville’s position reflected in the 97 per cent referendum vote for independence.

Following a recent meet with Prime Minister James Marape, President Toroama said Bougainville’s independence aspirations will remain steadfast however the Autonomous Bougainville Government will continue to foster collaboration with the National Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

GoPNG UN Sign Agreement

The signing with UN, through its United Nations Development Program (UNDP) supports lasting peace and long term political settlement process in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Secretary to the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ivan Pomaleu and UNDP’s PNG Representative, Dirk Wagener signed the project; Sustaining Peace through Economic Empowerment this week in Port Moresby.