PM O'Neill: Economic growth comes from inclusive spproach

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has highlighted the importance of ensuring countries draw on their own internal strengths and capabilities and build partnerships in order to enhance economic development.
O’Neill was speaking at the Eight Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM 8) on Saturday in Iwaki City, in Japan, where he said co-operation is essential but countries must take charge of their own responsibilities.
“While overseas assistance plays an important role in achieving our development goals, we must rely more on ourselves,” he said at the PALM8 Meeting.
“Driving our own economic growth is fundamental to the development in our country.
“And as we have learned in Papua New Guinea, economic growth must be inclusive.
“This is an essential part of APEC in 2018 that has the theme of Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future.
“Delivering true economic growth is all about building partnerships across the country.
“Government cannot advance an economy alone and we must work with the private sector, NGOs and churches to achieve better health outcomes for our people.
“This is particularly important in delivering the foundations for any healthy economy, particularly such as sectors including education and healthcare.
“We must look at better ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of healthcare, including the way we deal with infectious diseases.
“This includes the fight against tuberculosis through the provision of medical equipment and better communication.
“PALM, since its inception in 1997, has contributed to critical key development areas in infrastructure, education, health and transportation."
O'Neill further welcomed the proposed PALM Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy that aims to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
“This is based on values we all share and the three pillars of the strategy are consistent with our policy agenda.
“These include the Pursuit of economic prosperity and Commitment to peace and stability," he said.

Papua New Guinea states position on North Korea and UN reform

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has highlighted Papua New Guinea’s position on significant regional and global foreign policy issues at the meeting of Pacific Leaders in Japan.
Speaking at the Eight Pacific Islands Leaders‘ Meeting (PALM 8), he highlighted the Government’s position in relation to tensions on the Korean Peninsula and reform of the United Nations Security Council.
“There is no doubt the we live in complicated times in the global political context,” O'Neill said.
“There have been changes in the leadership of a number of governments, the Brexit vote and conflict in Syria with all of its human rights ramifications, just to name a few.
“It is times like these that Nation States must work together through global forums.
“We must work through the United Nations, but we know the UN system has its flaws and is need of reform.
“In particular, Papua New Guinea calls for reforms in the United Nations Security Council so that it is more relevant and responsive to security challenges that are faced in the world today.”
Leaders at PALM8 further discussed tensions with North Korea and the implications this has at a regional level.
“A crucial issue the world is dealing with today is finding a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula," O'Neill said
“If conflict was to return there would be serious implications for all nations of the Asia-Pacific.
“For many decades, the leadership of North Korea have acted in a deeply disturbing manner and violated acceptable rules of behaviour and decency. 
“Papua New Guinea further shares the concerns of the International Community over nuclear tests by North Korea.
“Our PALM host, Japan, is further facing an ongoing threat of conflict and the risks posed by missile tests.
“We also know of Japanese citizens being abducted, which is a violation of human rights and we support Japan in dealing with this matter.
“Papua New Guinea welcomes current negotiations taking place as a means to successfully address the Korean Peninsula issue.
“We must always work together and find political solutions in order to prevent war.”

Japan, Pacific island nations urge North Korea to denuclearise

mainichi.jp | May 19, 2018 


IWAKI, Japan (Kyodo) -- Japan and Pacific island countries on Saturday called on North Korea to take concrete actions toward denuclearisation by complying with United Nations' sanctions over its nuclear and missile development, as they wrapped up a two-day summit meeting in northeastern Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Mainichi)

In the joint declaration released after the gathering in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and leaders from 14 Pacific island countries expressed deep concerns over the North evading international sanctions by transferring cargoes at sea.

It is the first time for Japan and the Pacific island countries to mention the North Korean issue in their declaration. Japan has hosted a regional summit with the Pacific island nations every three years since 1997.

The participants at the eight Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting also noted the importance of the complete, verifiable and irreversible scrapping of all of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, while stressing the need of an immediate resolution of the abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

The declaration also touched on the importance of the maritime order based on the rule of law and welcomed the "free and open Indo-Pacific strategy," a policy the Abe administration has pushed ahead with in an apparent effort to counter the growing maritime assertiveness of China.

In a keynote speech at the outset of the summit, Abe pledged to support Pacific island countries in enhancing their maritime security capabilities, given their vulnerable coastal security.

"Japan will be unstinting in its assistance toward improving countries' capacity to 'protect the sea,' including each country's legal enforcement capabilities," Abe said.

"It is the rule of law that gives protection to the nations, big and small, for their inherent rights," he said.

"Safeguarding the sea and safeguarding the planet and humankind are one and the same. My country will continue to make efforts with you all," Abe added.

The summit also focused on building infrastructure, including ports.

To support their sustainable development, Abe promised continued assistance to the island nations to protect the environment and cope with climate change.

Abe also vowed Japan's engagement in human resource development and people-to-people exchanges involving 4,000 people over the next three years.

The forum brings together Japan, the 14 Pacific island nations, Australia and New Zealand, as well as French Polynesia and New Caledonia, both of which are French territories.

The 14 Pacific island countries are the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The previous meeting also took place in Iwaki, an area in northeastern Japan devastated by the massive 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi co-chaired the meeting with Abe.

Japanese WWII veteran working to bring fallen soldiers back to their homeland

18 May 2018

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has paid tribute to Japanese World War II veteran, Masai Horie, who works to recover the remains of Japanese soldiers and bring them back to Japan.

Prime Minister O’Neill, Horie and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Horie, who was prisoner-of-war in Rabaul in 1945, is 103 years old, has traveled to Papua New Guinea 18 times and is a former member of parliament in Japan.
“It was an honour to meet Mr Horie tonight,” O’Neill said.
“His tireless efforts to bring his countrymen home is outstanding and has earned him the highest respect in both of our countries.
"Papua New Guinea is the final resting place of so many courageous men and women from both sides of the war.
“Our nation will always accord the highest respect to those still buried in our soil.
“We will continue to work closely with Japan in their efforts to repatriate the remains of the fallen, and return them to their homeland."

PM O’Neill arrives in Japan for PALM8

18 May 2018

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill, has arrived in Japan for the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (SOM8).

Prime Minister O’Neill with Prime Minister Abe and Ms Akie Abe

Held every three years in Japan, the PALM brings Pacific Island Nations together in discussion with Japan to develop initiatives for regional growth and co-operation.
Being held in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, from May 18-19, the Leaders’ Meeting has the theme “We are Islanders – Partnership towards Prosperous, Free and Open Pacific".
O’Neill welcomed the talks that he said will provide an opportunity for the region to engage with Japan on issues of mutual interest.
“Japan is very much involved in projects that strengthen economic advancement and enhance community development around the Pacific,” he said.
“Papua New Guinea is working with Japan on a number of initiatives that are strengthening infrastructure in our country, particularly as we prepare to host the APEC Summit in November.
"This includes the Port Moresby Sewage System Upgrade Project, the Reconstruction of bridges in East New Britain and capacity building support through the Volunteers Program.
“I look forward to the meetings over the coming days and discussion with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as we work together in the interests of improving regional infrastructure."
The PALM Leaders‘ Summit will be co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Japan, and the Prime Minister of Samoa,  as the current Chair of the Pacific Island Forum.

Phillipines President Duterte welcomes stronger ties with PNG

Address by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at the State Dinner in Manila, 16 May 2018:

Today in our meetings, I have seen the true spirit of friendship and cooperation, having agreed to work together on matters of mutual interest, particularly in increasing an environment of trade and investment, and further strengthening the very important agricultural and fisheries sectors.

Tonight we have strengthened the foundations of mutual respect, not only at the official level, but more at a personal level.
The 35,000 Filipinos living and working in PNG and the hundreds of PNG citizens studying in the Philippines are living truth of friendship that we aim to strengthen in the the years to come.
The Philippines have further deepened our engagements in PNG as we support PM O'Neill's Chairmanship of this year's APEC Leaders Summit.
I am truly honoured for this evening's occassion, as this is your first official visit to the Philippines.
Today will reaffirm this relationship as we celebrate this opportunity to build on from strength to strength.
Today marks a new chapter where we chart a new destiny as sovereign states.

PM O'Neill thanks Philippines for ongoing relationship

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has thanked the President of the Philippines for the ongoing strengthening of relations between the two countries, that is delivering benefits in education, agriculture and healthcare.
He has completed an Official State Visit to the Philippines where he met with Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, senior government officials and business leaders.

O’Neill said the major outcome to come from the visit is the reassertion of how close the Philippines is to Papua New Guinea, both in geography and in cultural characteristics.
“Our two countries have many similarities, in our governance and legal processes, in our approach to business and in our Christian values," he said.

“The Philippines is a very community orientated country with respect for family and tradition.
“The islands of the Philippines also share very strong similarities with all island nations around the Pacific.
“Now as we increase our co-operation in areas such as agriculture and education, the bonds between our people will continue to grow.

“Papua New Guinea has a very close friend in the Philippines.
“We have had diplomatic relations for 43 years, but we have been friends for hundreds of years since Filipinos came with the missionaries.”

O'Neill has also passed on the concern expressed by President Duterte following the Highlands Earthquake.
“President Duterte extended his condolences the people of the Highlands Region and expressed sorrow for the loss of life in recent tragic earthquake," he said.