French president

He made this statement during a Q&A session with the students of the Sogeri School of Excellence at the Varirata National Park in Central Province on Friday, July 28, 2023.

When asked how France plans to help PNG in its effort to preserve its net carbon (negative) footprint while helping to promote sustainable economic development, President Macron said that is exactly the goal of the strategy and partnership both countries currently have. 

He told students that the strategy is aimed at preserving the rainforests and also to partner in this cause.

The visit marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time a French president has visited an independent country in the Pacific.

PM Marape views President Macron's visit as a testament to Papua New Guinea's growing global connectivity and prominence on the international stage.

He expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities the visit will bring to strengthen ties between the two nations and promote bilateral cooperation.

The invitation was extended during a meeting between Prime Minister Marape and Walid Fouque, Special Advisor for Asia and the Pacific to President Macron, held in Port Moresby on June 5, 2023.

This visit follows previous encounters between President Macron and Prime Minister Marape, including a meeting at the One Forest Summit in Gabon earlier this year and their attendance at APEC 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. President Macron's visit to Port Moresby will commence at 11am on July 28 and conclude at 5pm on the same day.

Philippe is a a member of the centre-right Les Républicains party and is close to Alaine Juppé, the former Prime Minister.

The choice of Philippe -- widely predicted by political pundits -- indicates Macron's desire to draw support from the conservative opposition and create balance, according to Emmanuelle Schön-Quinlivan, lecturer in European politics at University College, Cork.

The appointment is crucial for Mr Macron, who needs to do well in next month's parliamentary elections to push through his planned economic reforms.

Later he will travel to Germany to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The 39-year-old former investment banker and economy minister was inaugurated yesterday in a ceremony at the Élysée Palace.

He promised to convince people that "the power of France is not declining - that we are on the brink of a great renaissance".