PM James Marape

He said this after a virtual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting with Guterres on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City on Thursday September 23.

Guterres said he was concerned about climate change in the Pacific and other parts of the world, and the success of COP-26, given that not all industrialised nations had yet given their political support.

Marape welcomed Guterres’ concern about climate change and COP-26.

He said this when addressing a virtual Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting with UN Secretary General, H.E Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City this week.

“Across the region, partners have provided vaccines to Forum Island Countries, complementing those that have been secured through multilateral channels such as the COVAX facility.

He said this in his address at a virtual Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting with 
UN Secretary General, H.E Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City this week.

“COVID-19 presents the biggest threat to the health and wellbeing of Pacific Peoples and indeed, the world, in over a century,” Marape said.

Marape made this call on Friday when delivering his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“And today I make a call to all of us and especially to the big carbon emitting nations, who are now enjoying their national economic transformations through industrialization, to pause, think and take responsibility to save our planet. 

“I am comforted by the recent commitments by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson on their respective nations’ intention to respond better to tackling climate change issues.

In June, the Prime Minister had stated that the mine would be reopened by PNG’s 46^th Anniversary as a gift to PNG.

 In a statement released this week, Mr Namah said the PM is making a laughing stock of the country.

“When National Day dawned last Thursday, September 16th, the Prime Minister had the audacity to express his disappointment to the nation that he had come up empty handed, and set yet another deadline at “two weeks’ time”.

The Prime Minister said he will make a call on industrialized nations to contribute more towards reduction of carbon emissions and the conservation of existing rainforest, including the rainforest in Papua New Guinea.

He made this comment when meeting with the Alok Sharma, the United Kingdom's UNFCCC COP 26 President Designate, to discuss the COP26 Climate Change Agenda.

Prime Minister James Marape made the announcement today before leaving for the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA.

This is Prime Minister Marape’s first attendance at the UNGA as prime minister since taking office in May 2019. 

“I have had to turn down the invitation to the 74th UNGA in 2019 due to the Bougainville 
Referendum. The 2020 opportunity was also missed because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. 

PM Marape has appointed Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Soroi Eoe as Acting Prime Minister in his absence.

This will be Marape’s first visit to the UNGA and United States of America in his capacity as Head of Government during this COVID-19 period.

The Prime Minister will also engage in a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General H.E. Antonio Gueterres on current UN assistance to PNG and how future assistance can be effectively drawn down.

He said while reopening the mine is an important outcome sought by all, getting to that point required important regulatory and commercial arrangements to be in place.

The Prime Minister said he recognizes the commitments that the regulators, Barrick and Kumul Mineral Holding Limited have demonstrated to progress important milestones.

He said the engagement with landowners on the details of the benefits and the presentation of the framework agreement in Porgera on June 4, 2021 was an important milestone.

Prime Minister James Marape revealed this as he called for unity and cooperation among politicians and key members of the bureaucracy to avoid similar situation that leads to the stalling of public investment projects.

The Prime Minister was responding to persistent pleas by Madang Governor Peter Yama during Question Time to visit his province to see the condition of Madang roads for himself and allocate funding.

The PM responded that a total of K20 million for the upgrading of Madang town roads has been made by the National Government for the years 2020 and 2021.