Speech by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at CHOGM

19 April 2018
London, United Kingdom

Thank-you Prime Minister May, and you Government, as well as the people of the United Kingdom, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.

The theme of this meeting, Towards a Common Future, is both relevant and timely.

It certainly recognises the unique history, the aspirations, and challenges of all Commonwealth nations.

This theme also highlights the opportunities that face us all, and highlights the importance of solidarity in the challenges we face together.

A FAIRER FUTURE
The Commonwealth has a proud history of taking affirmative action to protect democratic principles.

The Commonwealth has worked tirelessly to strengthen the institutions that are essential for economic growth and development.

This underpins a clear commit to the values of human rights, gender equality, good governance, democracy and the rule of law.

We have seen this commitment in the past year, as Commonwealth Observers were on the ground in our country for recent National elections.

They certainly played an important role in ensuring elections were free from hindrance, and so the democracy could prevail.

Papua New Guinea is committed to these ideals.

A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

Trade and investment are critical to economic growth in any country.

It improves in income generation and employment for our people. 

However, the global economy today is threatened by the prevalence of protectionist trade measures, a surge in anti-trade rhetoric, declining investment and rising inequality. 

The challenge for the Commonwealth is to rise against these trends by boosting trade and investment among our member countries.

We are a diverse group of countries including developed, developing and the least developed. 

We also have many of the largest economies in the world, and several regional trade groupings including the World Trade Organisation. 

This membership provides the Commonwealth with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership – to expand trade and investment and create a fairer and more equitable global economy.

Papua New Guinea reaffirms our commitment to the multilateral trading system, and we want to see a more transparent, inclusive, and free and open rules-based system.

This also requires the larger economies to help in creating more opportunities for smaller economies.

Specifically, we greater need for support to grow small and medium enterprises, and to promote the economic empowerment of women.

A MORE SECURE FUTURE
Today, threats to national security and transnational crime are a global phenomenon. 

The sovereignty of all Commonwealth nations is threatened by transnational crime. 

The growth opportunities of emerging economies are attractive to many international businesses.

Most of these come to our countries to make a legitimate profit, and in the process stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

There are also foreign companies that come to exploit, to take advantage of evolving and sometimes weak financial regulator regimes, and immigration and labour laws. 

It is important that our Government’s commit to addressing transnational crime and to provide a safe and secure environment for all who live in the Commonwealth. 

Papua New Guinea has enacted several pieces of new legislation to deal with the Proceeds of Crimes, to prosecute the corrupt and those who corrupt them.

We have new legislation to deal with cyber-crimes.

We have laws to prevent forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking.

But given the transcending nature of all of these crimes, we need to support each other to make sure there is better enforcement of these laws through multilateral cooperation.

Papua New Guinea seeks greater co-operation and support through the Commonwealth, and other global forums, to enhance international cooperation as the best means to combat transnational crime.

A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Commonwealth countries are faced with massive challenges that threaten our growth, and in many cases, even our very survival.

The dire effects of climate change, particularly on vulnerable island nations, cannot be stressed enough.

Year-in-year-out we are faced with extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change.

Extreme tropical storms, and unprecedented drought, are devastating our communities.

Papua New Guinea reaffirms our commitment to the Paris Climate Change Accords, and the Talanoa Dialogue.

These are commitments should form the basis of real global action – to make sure there is effective preparedness, and help countries to adapt to the new world which climate change is affecting all of our lives.

But sadly, often action has not followed words from these global forums.

Adequate funding mechanisms have been established, but funding has not followed the pledges.

The developing countries did not cause climate change, but we are paying the price of this because of the industrialised nations who caused climate change.

As an organisation, the Commonwealth must be a stronger forum for stimulating action on climate change.

Papua New Guinea fully supports the adoption of the Commonwealth Blue Charter, but we must ensure appropriate action and innovative funding processes are implemented.

Thank You.

Papua New Guinea: Highlands Earthquake Situation Report No. 8 (as of 20 April 2018)

reliefweb.int | April 20, 2018

This report is produced by the National Disaster Centre and the Office of the Resident Coordinator in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by the Disaster Management Team Secretariat, and covers the period from 10 to 16 April 2018. The next report will be issued on or around 26 April 2018.

Background

• 270,000 people are in need of assistance across four provinces of Papua New Guinea’s highlands.

• 11,041 households (42,577 people) remain displaced in nine care centres.

• Over 38,000 callers listened to automated voice messages providing life-saving assistance in 2 weeks

• 181 cases of gastrointestinal and diarrheal diseases due to poor water and sanitation reported from nine health centres in Hela and Southern Highlands.

• 62 children in Southern Highlands province screened for Severe Acute Malnutrition; 2 hospitalized.

• Humanitarian operations in and around Tari, provincial capital of Hela province, remain suspended since 28 March, with reports of a new rise in tensions since 19 April.

270,000 people in need of assistance

$62M funding required

38,000 callers listened to messages containing lifesaving information

4 health facilities started providing nutrition services

70 metric tons of relief items awaiting transport

Situation Overview

On 26 February 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), affecting an estimated 544,000 people in five provinces – Enga, Gulf, Hela, Southern Highlands and Western provinces, with Hela and Southern Highlands the most affected. More than 270,000 people, including 125,000 children, have been left in immediate need of life-saving assistance. Since the initial 26 February earthquake, at least 195 aftershocks have occurred, of which six were of a 6.0 or greater magnitude.

The latest tracking figures available from the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) implemented as part of the Shelter Cluster response, indicate that 11,041 households (42,577 people) remain displaced due to the earthquake, of which 1,252 households (24 per cent) are displaced in nine care centres while 9,789 households remain within their communities. The number of people registered as staying in care centres continues to fluctuate, and the overall number of displaced may rise as new assessments are carried out.

The Shelter Cluster has adopted common definitions of settlement types defining a care centre as a displacement site where people are hosted away from their community or area of origin, and affected community as a community where people are still living within their community, even if displaced locally from their damaged/destroyed home. Two shelter response options and recommended packages have been proposed for cluster members’ endorsement corresponding to the two target groups defined above: (1) IDP household Shelter-NFI return kit (for those in care centres); and (2) community reconstruction toolkit (for affected communities). The Food Security Cluster advises that affected households still living in their communities and thereby having access to land should also be supported with agriculture and other recovery kits, and that this could help promote return of other displaced people.

More than 80 per cent of health facilities in Hela and Southern Highlands (69 of 86) are open and functional, but 13 of these health facilities sustained severe structural damage that continues to pose serious occupational threats to all users. Refurbishment of earthquake related structural damages remains a challenge. In particular, 55 per cent of health facilities urgently need access to safe water sources.

Traditional water sources were destroyed by earthquake-induced landslides and landslips. Water quality testing is already underway, with capacity to sample and test water in sources suspected to be contaminated established in Southern Highlands province. The Health Cluster reports that the results of the water testing of the Kikori River in Gulf province showed no heavy metal contamination. However, bacteriological analysis showed heavy coliform presence which may result in water-borne diseases. The lack of access to safe drinking water significantly increases risks of water-borne diseases outbreak among affected and displaced persons. Gastrointestinal and diarrheal diseases due to poor water and sanitation are increasing, with a cumulative total of 181 cases reported from nine health facilities in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.

A mass vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin at the end of April covering all children under five years of age in five districts of Southern Highlands Province: Lalibu Pangia, Imboggu, Kagua Erave, Mendi Munihu, and Nipa Kutubu.

Nutrition service provision has started at Mendi General Hospital, Urila Poroma Care Center, Tamenda Health Sub centre and Pimaga Rural in Southern Highlands province, with 62 children screened for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) of which two were hospitalized. A total of 1,240 children are targeted to receive treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). To date, 14 community health workers and 13 nurses, nutritionists, and medical officers (out of 120 targeted for training) have been oriented in SAM management.

Since 28 March, most humanitarian programmes in and around Tari, the provincial capital of Hela province, have been suspended due to increased tension and inter-communal fighting. Many partners have temporarily relocated humanitarian staff to other locations, including to the Southern Highlands provincial capital, Mendi, in view of the situation. Humanitarian partners aim to resume relief work as soon as the security situation allows. While the situation seemed to calm for a period, tensions were reportedly rising again since 19 April.

How much broadband internet costs around the world: Papua New Guinea among most expensive

by Anca Alexe, business-review.eu
April 20, 2018

The internet has spread all across the globe with remarkable speed, but it is still quite hard to afford an internet connection in some countries of the world. Howmuch.net has created a map of internet prices around the world, and you may be surprised by how cheap – or expensive – the internet can be in some places!

In Western Europe, Italy is the cheapest with an average price of USD 28 per month, followed by Germany (USD 34), Denmark (USD 36) and France (USD 37). In the UK, the average price is USD 40.5 per month. Six of the top ten countries where broadband is cheapest were former members of the USSR, including Romania, where the average cost is USD 14.
In North America, the cheapest internet connection can be found in Mexico, with an average cost of USD 26 per month. In the US and Canada, people pay between USD 55 and 66 for their internet.
In South America, the internet is generally quite affordable. The continent-wide average is around USD 50 a month, but countries like Brazil or Argentina can offer prices as low as USD 31-34 per month. On the other hand, small countries like Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados or Panama go above USD 100 per month, and the most expensive internet is by far found in Haiti, at an average of USD 224.
Asia has the most affordable internet overall, and countries like Russia, Kazakhstan or Nepal have extremely low prices ranging from USD 10-20 per month. Surprisingly though, the cheapest internet in Asia – and in the world – is found in Iran: only USD 5.4 per month on average! At the other end of the spectrum in Asia we can find Laos (USD 231 per month), Qatar (USD 149), UAE (USD 155) or Kyrgyzstan (USD 112).
In China, broadband internet is around USD 32 per month. In India, it’s USD 37.6, and similar prices can be found in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand or Pakistan; Japan is a little higher, with an average of USD 50 per month.
In Africa, the situation is not great as many countries didn’t even have data to review, and for those where there is internet, the extremes are huge. The best prices are in Egypt (USD 12.3 per month), Tunisia (USD 19), Algeria (USD 32) or Morocco (USD 39). Higher prices are found in South Africa (USD 59), Ethiopia (USD 65), Libya (USD 60) or Mozambique (USD 69).
But there are many countries in Africa where the internet is extremely expensive, despite the fact that people in these countries don’t have a lot of wealth. In Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Somalia, Angola, Niger and Mali, a broadband connection will cost between USD 115 and USD 170. However, there are two countries where the price is actually ridiculous: Namibia, with USD 464 per month on average, and Burkina Faso, with a whopping USD 923!
In Australia and New Zealand, the internet is relatively reasonable considering average incomes (USD 60 and 65 per month, respectively). In the rest of Oceania, the prices are quite high, ranging from USD 57 in Fiji to USD 177 in Cook Islands. But there’s also a country that’s completely off the charts – if you want to get internet in Papua New Guinea, you’ll pay USD 590 per month!

Papua New Guinea reportedly set to join China’s Free Trade Agreement at APEC

by Brinkwire, en.brinkwire.com
April 19, 2018

Papua New Guinea is believed to be on course to sign up to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China after Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato visited the country’s Foreign Minister recently in Beijing.

Mr Pato met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi last Friday to reportedly discuss the possibility of an FTA agreement between the two countries in November at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit Papua New Guinea is hosting.
According to Chinese state media site Xinhua, Mr Wang said Beijing was ready to enhance bilateral coordination and cooperation with PNG under the APEC framework.
He added that President Xi Jinping would visit PNG and attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in November, and that both sides should take this opportunity to promote bilateral cooperation and deepen cooperation in the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative as the countries moved into a new era.
PNG is now listed on China’s FTA Network website as being a country “under consideration”, along with Fiji — the site provides no further information on the status of the talks.

‘We welcome it’: PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato

The move comes amid debate around China’s growing influence in the Pacific and the effectiveness of its aid program.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Pato told the ABC’s The World program the country would welcome aid from China.
“Clearly because of the timing of which they [China] have decided to provide support, particularly in infrastructure, and because we’re new to the partnership there could be challenges but these are things that we will work together to address.”
According to PNG’s Post Courier, the two governments are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding in November, when Mr Xi visits PNG.
The two foreign ministers also reportedly discussed visa fee waivers for government officials and diplomats in China and PNG, the Post Courier said.

‘A playbook everyone’s using’

The announcement comes just days after two large Chinese-aided projects were opened in Port Moresby as part of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative.
While the Australian Government previously expressed scepticism over China’s efforts to build influence in the Pacific through infrastructure projects, PNG Business Council executive director Douveri Henao said China was not the only country doing it.

He welcomed the potential of an FTA with China.
“If the patch of the Silk Road can come down further from Myanmar, Vietnam down to Indonesia and then into Papua New Guinea, we’d be welcoming that because that improves our supply chains, it improves our value chains in exporting into the largest market in the region,” he said.
“Certainly from a PNG point of view, we would be in alignment with the aspirations of President Xi Jinping in infrastructure development.”
When asked whether the Australian Government was concerned about the developments, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said that “Australia welcomes regional efforts to promote trade and economic growth through FTAs.”

Papua New Guinea joins with Commonwealth countries to step-up fight against malaria

19 April 2018 

Commonwealth countries have agreed to further enhance efforts to deal the threats posed by the spread of malaria, particularly in developing nations.

Speaking at the 2018 Malaria Summit London, that was held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London this week, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, committed to enhance regional efforts to combat the disease.
The summit, that included presentations from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Co-Chair, Bill Gates, the Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles, and a number of world leaders, discussed plans to overcome malaria within the next generation.
O’Neill provided insight on current efforts in Papua New Guinea to treat the disease and to enhance preparedness for affected areas.
“Commonwealth countries have made great progress in dealing with malaria over recent decades,” he said.
“At the same time in our own country, and around the Commonwealth, there have been increases in the number of cases of malaria in certain areas.
“We all know that malaria affects the poorest in our communities, particularly the most vulnerable, our children.
“Malaria affects productivity and leads to economic and social hardship.
“Being poor should never deny a person’s right to a healthy and productive life.
“Papua New Guinea joins with our Commonwealth partners to better deliver care to those who contract the disease, and to work harder on prevention.”
O'Neill highlighted the importance of international co-operation to strengthen efforts.
“In Papua New Guinea, we thank the many partner countries, NGOs and the private sector, who have joined with us to fight malaria in our country and in other nations," he said.
“I would like to thank the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their generous contributions to combat the spread of malaria and other disease such as tuberculosis.
“I look forward to continuing our commitment to eliminate malaria from our country, from Melanesia, from the Pacific region and from the Commonwealth."
At the conclusion of the summit, the prime ministers of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands signed a joint communique to maintain focus on eliminating malaria.
In the communique, the leaders: “Reaffirmed commitment to the goal of an Asia-Pacific free of malaria by 2030.  We endorse the Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Malaria Elimination Roadmap as a framework for shared action.  We are committed to the Roadmap’s six priority areas.”
O’Neill said through the Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Malaria Elimination Roadmap, Pacific countries wereuniting national efforts and regional action to combat this disease.
“This includes better mapping of infections, and strengthening preventative measures.
“We are enhancing the delivery of high-quality malaria services, with better testing and the delivery of medicines, and the distribution of mosquito nets and insecticides.
“We are further increasing domestic financing and working with global partners, while undertaking real innovation in all of our measures to prevent the spread of malaria.”

Prime Minister O’Neill begins CHOGM meetings with courtesy call to the Duke of York

19 April 2018

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has begun his range of high level meetings at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) with a courtesy call to HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York.

During the meeting at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, the Prime Minister and the Duke of York discussed issues of relevance for Papua New Guinea and the Commonwealth.
“Prince Andrew is clearly concerned by the recent Highlands earthquake and expressed his sympathies following the disaster,” the Prime Minister said from London.
“In almost all of our CHOGM-related meetings today, for myself, the Foreign Minister, and senior officials, there was clear concern at the loss of life in the earthquake.
“We certainly thank Prince Andrew and our Commonwealth counterparts for their concern, and the support that has been received from partner countries for relief operations.
“There are a number of Commonwealth countries that experience earthquakes and other natural disasters, and it is important to share information to enhance planning and future responses.
“The recent disaster was a shock to our country and the Commonwealth, as a large earthquake has not been experienced in the Highlands for one hundred years.”
O'Neill said his discussion with the Duke of York was wide-ranging and covered a range of issues relevant to development and regional engagement.
“Prince Andrew is certainly familiar with Papua New Guinea, having visited our country as recently as the Pacific Games in 2015," he said.
"One of the important messages that we are carrying to our Commonwealth partners and business representatives is that Papua New Guinea is a country that is changing.
"We are transforming our nation from traditional communities to a modernising economy in the space of a generation.
"This brings with it challenges, but is also changing lives, particularly over the past seven years that our Government has been in office.
"Particularly in the area of healthcare and education, Prince Andrew is familiar with development in other Commonwealth countries so his views and observations are welcome.
"The policies that we are delivering in education and healthcare is delivering clear benefits to our people and empowering our young generation.
"Around the Commonwealth, a range of development models and policies have been implement with varying results.
“Papua New Guinea is on the right path.
“We are diversifying or economic base, particularly in key areas of agriculture and developing future export markets in Asia, and are implementing a long term growth strategy for the tourism sector.”

New Zealand pledges US$1 million to support Bougainville referendum

UNDP

Port Moresby, 18 April 2018 – The Government of New Zealand has strengthened its support to the National Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through a one-million-dollar (US) contribution to UNDP’s Bougainville Referendum Support Project (BRSP).

Endorsed by both governments at the Joint Supervisory Body meeting of December 2017, the BRSP aims to support the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) to deliver an effective referendum.

The BRSP will assist the BRC through technical expertise, the procurement of operational items such as voter registration equipment, and outreach activities including the production and distribution of awareness materials. The project will also conduct training of media and other key partners on their respective roles in the referendum process.  

The project will coordinate closely with activities funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and other international partners to support the National Government of PNG and the ABG not only to hold a successful referendum, but also transition peacefully through the post-referendum period.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Papua New Guinea, Gianluca Rampolla, said: “The United Nations continues to work with both the National Government of PNG and the ABG on the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, and the successful staging of the referendum constitutes a significant aspect of this work.

“We are incredibly privileged to have a supporter such as New Zealand, and we look forward to furthering this relationship.”

Sue Mackwell, the New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, hopes that their funding will encourage other international partners to also support the project.

“The peace process in Bougainville continues to break new ground, and we hope that other donors will join the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Government of Bougainville in being part of this important process,” Ms Mackwell said.

Both the United Nations and New Zealand have played important roles in the peace process in Bougainville dating back to the earliest days in the late 1990s.