European Union (EU)

According to Lorna McPherson, Senior Vice President of Digicel PNG, during her opening remarks as Master of Ceremony for the 4th EU-PNG Business, Trade & Investment Conference this morning

The conference program featured three panel discussions, focusing on economic opportunities in Papua New Guinea, the Agri-business sector, and the green-blue economy. Following these panels, presentations will explore global business financing opportunities and marketing sessions in agriculture, fisheries, energy, technology, and e-business.

The session aimed to provide an overview of the support available and encourage community members to submit proposals.

Ali Said Yesuf, Programme Coordinator for the EU-funded STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea, emphasized the objective of improving livelihoods within the community. He assured participants that all reasonable proposals would be considered for support.

Dr. Pavel Burian, Deputy Programme Coordinator, elaborated on the types of assistance offered through the STREIT Innovation Fund.

The EU-Pacific Green-Blue Alliance, launched at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, focuses on climate action, resilience, and sustainable use of natural capital as the basis for inclusive and sustainable economic development, while respecting the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values.

As part of the EU-Pacific Green-Blue Alliance, the EU is preparing a new cooperation project on “Forest, Climate Change and Biodiversity” in Papua New Guinea.

In this context, Information Communication Technology (ICTs) offer enormous opportunities for enhanced agricultural innovation for food security, income, and economic growth.

Cheering the visit, the visibly contented villagers performed an inspiring welcome ceremony, enriched with their genuine cultural heritage.

Head of EU Delegation to PNG, Ambassador Videtič, led the delegation away from their busy schedules to visit the Pangin Village to overview the varied support given to cocoa farmers including a cocoa nursery under the STREIT PNG Porgramme. 

The EU spokesperson stated that the Parliament of PNG has taken an important step repealing the death penalty and commuting the sentences of all prisoners on death penalty row to life imprisonment.

Minister for Justice, Bryan Kramer tabled the amendments to the Criminal Code Act 1984 in Parliament this week. The NEC made the decision to replace death penalty with life imprisonment without parole.

For many years, the European Union and its member states have constantly reaffirmed their strong opposition to the use of capital punishment in all circumstances.

The workshop was part of TIPNG’s Promoting Anti-Corruption and Integrity Strategies Project (PAIS) Project, which is funded by the European Union.

Funded by the European Union, this new investment valued at EUR 5.4 million represents a major commitment by the United Nations, the European Union and Government to tackle corruption.

An integral part of the EU-PNG Partnership for Good Governance, the overall goal of the Papua New Guinea Anti-Corruption Project is to substantially reduce corruption. 

Among the Project’s partners are the PNG Government, key national institutions, civil society, and communities.

The Ambassador stressed on reforms of the mining sector and its commitment to supporting sustainable development.

He also informed the Minister of a possible cooperation in the mining sector for “smart” and sustainable mining technologies and expertise in supporting the EU’s "Green Deal” and creating sustainable jobs for Papua New Guineans.

Minister Tuke while providing an update on the mining sector welcomed EU’s effort for a collaborative partnership to promote sustainability in the mining sector.

The theme for this year’s celebration as promoted by the UN is “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.

The STREIT programme works in close collaboration with local partners including the provincial Department of Agriculture and Livestock and Cocoa Board in Wewak and will commemorate this important day together with 110 boys and 90 girls of Numbohu LLG Adventist Youth of Numbo LLG, Yangoru-Saussia District.

The youth were supplied with essential start-up materials such as cocoa polybags and shade cloth for the establishment of a cocoa nursery to be managed by themselves.