Varirata National Park

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 project stems from a partnership between PNG’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The construction of the new information centre and renovation of the old information centre gives a new look to Varirata National Park that is sure to attract more visitors.

Managing Director of CEPA, Gunther Joku, said the CEPA-JICA project has been established through a bilateral agreement with the Government of PNG and the Government of Japan in June 2015 and will end in 2020.

The event will be launched by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA).

The highlight of the event will be a solo walk by a climate change advocate, who will walk from the city all the way up to Varirata National Park, which is 48km east outside of Port Moresby.

He will be given an opportunity as a guest speaker at the launch.

The United Nations Global Theme for the 2017 World Environment Day is, “Connecting People to Nature”, which was further translated down to a national theme, which is “Appreciate and Conserve our Land and our Seas”.