Papua New Guinea (PNG)

U.S - PNG Bilateral Defence Dialogue

The dialogue, held at Murray Barracks, is an opportunity for both the United States and PNG to jointly plan activities for the upcoming year.

PNGDF Acting Chief of Defence Force Commodore Philip Polewara and Deputy Secretary for Defence Simon Tunapai hosted U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Thomas James, Mobilization Assistant to USINDOPACOM's Director of Strategic Planning and Policy along with U.S. military and defense civilians.   

The discussion centered on:

U.S. keen on expanding connections

In a statement from the Office of the Spokesperson, U.S. department of State, says, “We are also leveraging connections with academia, sports, and the private sector to build connections between our peoples.

More Women MPs Needed in Parliament

According to the United Nations Development Programme, PNG, for the first time in 25 years (since the 1992 election), no females will make up the 111-member Parliament - despite more female candidates being nominated for elections in 2017 than ever before;167 of 3,332 were female candidates.

Dr Alphonse Gelu, Registrar of Political Parties said women need to have full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

WHO To Continue Support

WHO Regional Director for Western Pacific, Dr Takeshi Kasai gave his word when visiting East New Britain today, Tuesday 14th December, 2021.

Accompanied by Health Minister and Gazelle MP, Jelta Wong, he was given a traditional welcome at Tokua Airport and met by the ENB Provincial Health Authority, Gazelle District and ENB provincial administration.

 “COVID-19 made us realize that health and people’s lives are connected. Health cannot see but we have to find a way to see it and maintain it to serve the community,” Dr Kasai said.

PNG Reports 288 New Cases

The PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response office had confirmed this numbers and highlighted the confirmed COVID cases in the provinces and vaccination coverage in respective regions. 

These new cases were reported from 10 provinces of which Western Highlands reported the highest of 122, followed by NCD (73), Morobe (45), Central (15), West New Britain (14), Eastern Highlands (11), Western (2), Madang (2), Hela (2) and Jiwaka (2).

Designation of high-risk provinces

National Pandemic Controller David Manning issued this directive yesterday, as per section 9(1)(a), 9(1)(r), 39, and 47 of the National Pandemic Act 2020. The directive is in effect, as of Wednesday 13 October, 2021.

Western, Sandaun (West Sepik), Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Morobe, Chimbu, Enga, Hela, Jiwaka and Southern Highlands are the high risk provinces.