Private sector’s role vital in climate change fight

The private sector plays a key role in building the resilience of communities for climate change in the Pacific.

This was one of the main objectives that motivated the first ever sub-regional workshop on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Climate Finance here in Port Moresby.

The two-day workshop saw stakeholders, including the climate change authority, the US Embassy as well as representatives from private sectors attend the event at the Stanley Hotel, which started today.

The workshop aims to assist businesses and governments of the four Melanesian countries (PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji) increase their awareness of, and access to, climate change financing and options for public-private sector partnerships and investments.

In his opening remarks the Minister for Climate Change, John Pundari, stated that private public partnership is very important as it tends to play a peripheral role in climate change and disaster risk management.

Therefore for the sub-regional workshop to be hosted in PNG for the first time says a lot about this agenda in this country.

Partner host US AID representative, Dr Jorge Velasco, who is a senior health officer with the USAID, noted that today’s event comes at an opportune time when the need to strengthen Pacific Island countries’ resilience is high on the development agenda.

Meantime, the Managing Director of Climate Change PNG, Ruel Yamuna, said he was excited for the outcomes that will come out of this prestigious meet and see the progress of work that will come of the partnership between government, stakeholders and the private sector.

(Minister for Climate Change, John Pundari, presenting at the event, which started yesterday)

Author: 
Imelda Wavik