PNGDF search of Indonesian men believed being held against their will

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has confirmed that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force is searching for a group of individuals believed to be holding two male Indonesian nationals against their will close to the Indonesian border.
The Indonesian nationals are understood to have been taken last week and attempts had been underway to secure their release through peaceful means.
"When we were advised that two Indonesian nationals were likely being held against their will I ordered that contact be made with the people involved.
"Initial discussions were held, first through a mediator then through direct means.
"However the group have since changed location and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel are now moving to intercept the people involved.
The Prime Minister said it would not be appropriate to release further information at this time on the current operation.

PM O'Neill speech - Independence Day Flag Raising

Speech by Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony

16 September 2015

Speaker of the National Parliament
Chief Justice & Members of the Judiciary
Ministers of State & Distinguished Members of Parliament
Your Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corp
My Fellow citizens
We live in a great nation, an amazing nation, and one that we can all be very proud of – our Papua New Guinea.
Today is a day that we not only celebrate 40 years of independence, but we also celebrate thousands of years of our rich history and our culture – that has made us who we are today.
We celebrate the more than 800 languages and cultures that have developed across our lands.
We are a nation of diversity that is rich and amazing, and we are a united nation.
As a country we have brought together our diversity to create modern Papua New Guinea.
Today we can look back with pride on what we have achieved together. 
And we can look forward with confidence to an even better future of our children.
We must all be grateful to the founders of our Nation.
Grateful to the leaders who guided us towards the declaration of independence on 16 September 1975.
We thank them for the progress that we have achieved as one united nation over the last four decades.
This is a time of reflection on what we have achieved together.
It is a time to look at how we can build an even stronger nation based on those achievements, and on the many blessings we enjoy today.
Of course there have been difficulties over the last four decades – but these challenges have made us stronger.
Right now our nation is facing challenges.
They come form outside our borders - but together we have to face up to them with the courage and determination that we are well known for.
The global economy is facing a very uncertain time at the moment. 
Unstable commodity prices are placing pressure on many economies and reducing economic growth all around the world.
But in Papua New Guinea we are managing our economy so that we can meet our commitments to our people.
Even with the grey clouds over the global economy, our country still has positive growth.
What this means for our people is that we will see through this challenge in the coming years and our country can grow even stronger.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We also face a further threats that come from changes in climate and weather conditions.
Right now, around our nation – food gardens have been destroyed by frost.
Right now families are worried about where their food will come from in the coming weeks – because they have had no rain.
We have been through this before and we learn from our past experiences.
Your Government has acted decisively by delivering immediate relief.
Food is being distributed as we gather here today.
We are also distributing seed so that when the rains do return – so our people can return to agriculture.
All we ask is that drought and frost is not politicised by people seeking to get attention for themselves.
This is not the time to play politics.
Drought and frost, as well as other extreme weather - and becoming worse because of climate change - is a big problem for our country and our region.
We recently saw the terrible tropical storms and cyclones that killed people.
We, in the Pacific Islands, did not cause climate change – but our people are suffering from it.
Papua New Guinea, and our Pacific partners are taking our message to the global community – that we need action to deal with climate change.
In December at the United Nations climate change conference –  the voices of grassroots Papua New Guineans will be heard loud and clear by world leaders.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
No matter what challenge our country faces our people are strong.  They stand tall to meet this challenge.
While our nation might be blessed with many natural resources - our greatest resource by far is our people.
You, the men, women and children of our nation are what drives our economy and is the power of our communities.
The commitment I give to you today, as I did four years ago, is that we will build on the foundations we have laid.
We will continue to ensure you and your family have free school education, better healthcare and better community services you are entitled to as our citizens.
We will continue to make communities safer and create more opportunities for you so you can participate in our economy.
The introduction of free school education has been a milestone for our nation. Today 2 million of our children are in school at all levels of education.
But we must build on this.
The next steps include improving teacher training and teacher numbers.
We want our children have a higher standard of education.
We also want more young people to go to university and other study. 
Our Government will continue to strengthen technical training in our country.
We are increasing places at Higher learning institutions each year.
And through our vocational schools, we will empower our people with skills to get more jobs in key areas of fisheries, tourism and agriculture.
We will further continue to support the wonderful work of our churches at all levels.
The health of a nation is a vital responsibility to governments at all levels.
While there is much more to be done to improve access to basic health care, we have made substantial progress in rebuilding all our run down health facilities throughout the country.
We, as a Government must give greater opportunity for our youth.
This can be through the development of small to medium enterprises.
Papua New Guineans are great entrepreneurs.
We always want to have our own businesses.
Your Government and your country is there to support you.
We will create more opportunities. 
This will be through making it easier to open a business.
Last night, at the Prime Minister's Excellence Awards Ceremony, I met several of these entrepreneurs and community champions.
You might have seen this on television.
They were both young and old.
They were from the highlands to the coast.
They were a demonstration of the inspirational people we have in Papua New Guinea.
I would like to tell you about a few of them.
One is a lady called Betty Higgins from Chimbu. 
In the 1970's Betty was an Air New Guinea airhostess.
Now she is a very proud trout fish farmer – with her farm at 2,400 meters above sea level.
Betty and her late husband had dreams and they followed their dream.
Now she serves locally-caught fresh fish in Chimbu.
Let me tell you about Yomas Dosung from Mt Hagen.
Yomas is taking up the fight against climate change and extreme weather conditions like el Niño.
He has been cultivating an African style of yam that withstands el Niño and drought.
The food developed by Yomas is being shared with many communities.
I would also like to talk about Dr Moses Laman
He is our Prime Ministers' Excellence Awards Papua New Guinean of the year
This young doctor from Ambunti in the East Sepik province is already a senior research fellow and respected around the world.
Dr Laman's research will reduce illness and death in underprivileged children in rural Papua New Guinea.
This is an inspiration to all of us.
We need to encourage our own Papua New Guinea entrepreneurs in medicine, tourism, and new economy areas such as communications.
To the people who already own a business in our country, and are already employing Papua New Guineans.
We will continue to encourage you.
By making taxation simpler we will further stimulate the economy and create more jobs.
We are doing more to make Papua New Guinea a great location for investment.
And we have received great support from international businesses and they have confidence in our economy.
This will mean more Papua New Guineans are employed and be in business.
Some of the largest corporations in the world are investing in Papua New Guinea, and this is making an important contribution to our economy.
But I also I want to see the people of our country take greater control in developing our own resources.
This means more investment from our private sector to access our own resources.
I would like to see more or our seafood and agriculture products processed in our country.
As a nation, we must be ambitious and bold when it comes to economic empowerment and improving quality of life for our people.
My fellow citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am proud of the achievements of our nation the regional leadership.
Our country has excellent relations with our immediate neighbours – Australia, Indonesia and Solomon Island.
We are engaging with our partners in a more meaningful way.
We are also a great friend and partner with our Pacific Island nations.
We recently hosted the best Pacific Games ever – where athletes came from around our region to compete at the highest level in our country.
Last week we also hosted the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum. 
In 2018 we will bring 20 of the world's Presidents and Prime Ministers to Papua New Guinea for the APEC Leaders Summit.
This will also include more than 10,000 delegates visiting our cities and regional communities throughout 2018.
This will be the most significant international event ever to be held in Papua New Guinea.
These events have brought considerable economic benefits to our country and city areas.
They also lead to the construction of first-class facilities that will be available for long-term community use and benefit.
Through our international government engagement, we would like to expand our knowledge and markets in important areas. 
And we are attracting increasing amount of foreign direct investment.
These include minerals, energy, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and construction creating more jobs for our people.
When you look at our achievements as a nation, there is much we can be proud of and give thanks for.
Ours is a country that has seen a lot of challenge, as a united nation.
There is also much more that we can achieve if we work together as one united democratic and confident nation.
In wishing you, and your family, best wishes for our 40th Anniversary of Independence - I give, you our commitment, as Leaders in this country.
You can be confident that your elected Leaders will work each and every day – to ensure that the dreams we all share for our country and for our children.
May God Bless each and every one of you, and God Bless Papua New Guinea.
Thank you.

PM O'Neill congratulates new Australian leader

Prime Minister of Papua New GuineaPeter O'Neill has congratulated Malcolm Turnbull on his election as the Prime Minister of Australia.
O'Neill said he expects to build a strong working relationship with Malcolm Turnbull and progress a range of issues of importance for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Region.
"I congratulate Malcolm Turnbull as the new Prime Minister of Australia and I look forward to meet with him in the near future," he said.
"There is a lot we have in common between our two countries, and there are areas where we can build closer co-operation.
"In particular, the people of the Pacific Island States are concerned at the effects of climate change and the devastation this is causing to so many lives.
"There are also a number of further areas of bilateral cooperation on which we will continue consultation and we look forward to this taking place."
O'Neill said the new Australian leader will be invited to visit Papua New Guinea at the next convenient opportunity.
"Tomorrow the diplomatic relationship between our two countries is 40 years old and the strongest it has been.
"Papua New Guinea will always work with Australia's elected Government of the day to gain the best outcome for both countries.
"Changes in political leadership are never easy and I look forward to ministerial roles being clarified as soon as is possible in the Australian Government.
"Papua New Guinea is the largest destination for Australian investment and the business and development relationship between our two countries remains strong."
O'Neill said he was pleased that Julie Bishop MP will continue in her current role.
"As Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop has engaged with our Government in a way that has been mutually beneficial.
"I especially thank her for development reforms she has driven that will achieve better outcomes for Papua New Guinea and Australia in the future.
"Foreign Minister Bishop has also been very supportive in strengthening public service training in our country and I look forward to discussing this when she visits Papua New Guinea later in the year."
O'Neill has written to Turnbull to offer congratulations, and written to Tony Abbott to thank him for the working engagement that has been maintained over the past two years.
"I thoroughly enjoyed the working relationship that we had with Tony

Kumul Consolidated Holdings official launch on December 2

Kumul Consolidated Holdings Chairman Paul Nerau has announced that the new corporation will be officially launched at a charity dinner on December 2.
This follows the recent introduction of the IPBC/Kumul Consolidated Holdings (Amendment) Act, making way for the formation of three entities responsible for the sovereign wealth of Papua New Guinea – Kumul Petroleum holdings, Kumul Minerals Holdings and Kumul Consolidated Holdings.
"The Minister of Public Enterprise and State Investments Hon. Ben Micah has agreed to launch Kumul Consolidated Holdings by hosting a charity dinner. This is an opportunity for us to not only launch the new entity, but also to assist those less fortunate in our community," Nerau said.
Nerau identified three charities that will be beneficiaries of the dinner launch – Life PNG Care, Cheshire Disability Services and the PNG Cancer Foundation.

°Life PNG Care makes a positive impact in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and youth.

°Cheshire Disability Services makes a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities, their families and their carers.

°The PNG Cancer Foundation assists patients and their families and are advocates for the rights of cancer patients in Papua New Guinea for best treatment and supportive care.  

"We will be releasing more details of the charity event in the coming weeks," Nerau said.
The announcement came as Kumul Consolidated Holdings celebrated the 40th Independence of Papua New Guinea with a cocktail function on Monday at the Grand Papua Hotel.
Speaking at the function Nerau made the observation that 40 years ago the Australian flag was lowered and not torn down, as Papua New Guinea moved towards independence.
"Papua New Guinea had a peaceful transition to independence. In a similar way, the IPBC Act was not torn down. It was amended under the IPBC (Kumul Consolidated Holdings) Amendment Act of 2015.                                                                                           
"Through this Act, the IPBC has been transformed into Kumul Consolidated Holdings. The IPBC Act was amended to make it contemporary and relevant. As the world changes, especially the world of business and governance, then so must we." 
The IPBC (Kumul Consolidated Holdings) Amendment Act of 2015 was first read in Parliament on June 5, 2015 and passed by absolute majority as required by the Constitution, then certified on August 12, 2015. The Act then came into effect on Wednesday September 2, 2015.

Prime Minister concerned at rising sea level comment by Australian minister

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, and the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Peter O'Neill  has expressed concern at the comments by Australia's Immigration Minister last Friday.
O'Neill said the comments relating to climate change and rising sea levels were most unfortunate, and he hoped the attention the issue has received will help highlight the threat being faced by many people.
"Rising sea levels is a serious issue affecting thousands of our people around the Pacific," the Prime Minister said.
"Communities are under threat and they are loosing homes and their food source.
"People around the Pacific are living in fear with each high tide of storm.
"Every time seawater inundates their land their possessions are lost.
"Food crops are also destroyed when they are covered with sea water.
"Other communities are seeing beach erosion taking away their land and eventually their houses.
"People are being forced off the land where their families have lived for thousands of years.  
"Connection to the land is very important for Pacific people so having to leave their land is heartbreaking for many people."
The Prime Minister said the issue of climate change and rising sea levels was discussed at length over the past week at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. 
"Pacific Islands Forum Leaders expressed great concern at the threat posed by climate change to our region particularly to smaller developing countries," O'Neill said.
"The people in Pacific Island nations did not cause climate change but they are suffering because of it.
"In December the United Nations Convention on Climate Change in Paris will give all countries the opportunity to do something to help our communities that are under threat."

PM expresses appreciation for CSO input to Pacific Islands’ Forum

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has welcomed the participation and engagement of a number of Pacific Civil Society Organisations in the Pacific Islands' Forum meetings this week.
O'Neill said Pacific Civil Society Organisations were of vital importance for people around the Pacific as a partner in the provision of services and community support.
Beginning with a forum with leaders on Tuesday, ongoing discussion has seen wide-ranging sharing of views and perspectives relating to the welfare of people in the region.
"Leaders have certainly appreciated the input and discussion from our community service organisiations, and this is factoring into Leaders'' deliberations," the Prime Minister said.
"We all know the challenges we face across our diverse islands states, and governments appreciate the partnership we have with Civil Society Organisations."
O'Neill said the meeting was the first of its kind to be held alongside a Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting.
"I have attended five of these meetings and I have never had the opportunity to sit down with civil society leaders and representatives," he said.
"This is a very good initiative and I think future forums should embrace this as we move forward.
"We live in the same region, same community, it is not only up to the leaders to make decisions that affect our way of live but it involves everyone." 
O'Neill said from Papua New Guinea's perspective, the discussion of climate change, disaster risk management and fisheries were particularly important.
"Like other countries in our region, Papua New Guinea is very much exposed to climate change.
"We are also facing extreme climate threats from drought and frost which is affecting millions of people," he said.
"Papua New Guinea is a very strong advocate of climate change action and will take a position that will enable the international community to try and work together.
"It is our obligation that before we go to the Paris COP-21 this year, as a region we come up with a common position on what to put forward to the global community.
"We thank Pacific Civil Society Organisations for their views and perspectives on moving this agenda forward."

Welcome Pacific leaders!

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has welcomed the arrival of the leaders of the region to attend the Pacific Island Forum this week in Port Moresby.
With several Leaders already in Port Moresby, a ceremonial welcome will be held on Tuesday night then leaders will get to work on Wednesday morning with an agenda that includes issues such as dealing with climate change, enhancing disaster preparedness and reducing cervical cancer in Pacific Island women.
O'Neill said the global economy faced the most uncertain period in recent history making this a particularly important summit for the region.
"The global economy is under pressure and we are seeing an increase in climate induced disasters, so this is a time when countries of like-mind must work together," he said.
"When we look around the Asia-Pacific economy we see a slowdown in major markets and uncertainty in commodities.
"As a region the Pacific will come together as partners to join our collective strengths.
"We have tremendous resources across our island nations and we need to work together to ensure that we get the best market advantage now and into the future."
O'Neill said enhancing preparedness for disasters, particularly disasters that occured as a consequence of climate change, would be an important topic of discussion between leaders.
"In our region we are seeing more climate related disasters.  This includes weather patterns such as tropical storms and flooding in one part of the year then droughts and frost in other months.
"Our climate is more unpredictable than ever before and we must prepare for this to continue and be ready for worst case scenarios.
"We in the Pacific did not cause climate change, but we suffer because of it.  As a region we must work together to build our collective capacity to be ready for these weather problems."
The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting will take place this week in Port Moresby with a reception on Tuesday night and leaders' retreats on Wednesday and Thursday.  Other meetings include the meeting of small island states on Monday and the post-forum dialogue on Friday.