Govt chief commends Forest Authority statement to APEC

The Chief Secretary to Government, Sir Manasupe Z. Zurenuoc, has applauded the efforts of the PNG Forest Authority in delivering the “Eda Statement” at the end of the 3rd Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Forestry (MMRF3) held recently in Port Mo

The PNGFA team, led by Mr Goodwill Amos, Acting Managing Director, drafted the “Eda Statement” as the MMRF3’s main deliverable. 

The statement expounds APEC’s vision on sustainable forest management; forest conservation and rehabilitation to mitigate climate change; challenges efforts to combat illegal logging and associated trade, and private public dialogue on mechanisms, policies and best practices to attract and maintain suitable investments in the development of forest resources. 

 “I am extremely delighted to note that PNG has the capability and available manpower resources to come up with the desired policy outcome for such a high level APEC meeting; that this being our very first time to host an APEC Ministerial meeting in the country since joining APEC in 1993 only goes to show those who doubt our ability to host APEC in 2018, that we can do this,” said Sir Manasupe.

He was referring to the fact that PNG, since joining APEC in 1993, was yet to host a Ministerial meeting until the MMRF3.

 “The Eda Statement is in fact, a historical document, because it is the first-ever document at the ministerial level, contributed by PNG to the APEC process.  We are now working towards hosting about 12 Ministerial meetings during our host year in 2018.  A whole of government approach is now crucial to ensure that our policy teams, led by the PNG APEC Secretariat, are properly supported to ensure the successful drafting and delivery of these 12 or so Ministerial Statements, including the 2018 APEC Leaders’ Declaration,” said the Chief Secretary.

The PNG APEC Secretariat of the Department of Prime Minister & NEC is tasked with coordinating the drafting of Papua New Guinea’s agenda priorities and policy deliverables for 2018.  With regards to the Eda Statement, the PNGFA will now work collectively with the other 21 APEC member economies to achieve some of the targets Forest Ministers expounded in the statement leading up to 2018.

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