Prince Andrew to Visit Papua New Guinea to open the Pacific Games

His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is to officially open the Pacific Games in Port Moresby in July, Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, announced.
O'Neill said he was delighted Prince Andrew had accepted his invitation to visit Papua New Guinea and officially open the Games.
"When Papua New Guinea last hosted the Games, in 1991, Prince Andrew officially opened what was then known as the South Pacific Games."
"It is a measure of the standing the Games enjoys that His Royal Highness has agreed to officially open the event in a few weeks time," he said.
O'Neill said he was certain competitors from across the Pacific, as well as the people of Papua New Guinea, would accord His Royal Highness a warm welcome.

PM welcomes Members to PNC

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has welcomed the decision by the Speaker of Parliament and Member for Finschafen Theodore Zurenuoc MP, and Member for Kundiawa-Gembogl, Tobias Kulang MP, to join the People's National Congress Party.
O'Neill made the announcement at a press conference at the National Parliament yesterday.
The Prime Minister welcomed the members saying that the party continues to grow because of the stability that it is providing to the nation.
"Stability in terms of leadership, stability in terms of policy and stability in the management of the affairs of the economy of the country is bringing members to the PNC Party,"  O'Neill said.
"Working with the speaker over the last two and a half years of the parliament and working with our brother member, Tobias Kulang, we have come to recognize that we need to put our talents and abilities together for the good of the country.
"Them joining of Government adds further stability so that we can continue to roll out the programs that they have started.
"The talent and experience that the two gentlemen will bring to the party will contribute further in making sure that we strengthen the party's ability so that we can deliver more to our people throughout the country." 
The Prime Ministers said the Government has very innovative policies like free education and healthcare for which credit should also be shared with  Zurenuoc.
"Many people might not know that free education is the brainchild of the Speaker when he was Education Minister, so now he has come to the core of the party where we are implementing that policy."
The Prime Minister further highlighted the professionalism and independence of Theodore Zurenuoc in carrying out his duties as the Speaker of the Parliament.
"Many of you know how Parliaments in the past were managed, now we know things are functioning and Parliamentary business is being conducted.
"We have not missed one day of Parliamentary meetings since this parliament started.  This is a credit to the speaker."
The Prime Minister thanked the People's Progress Party for their understanding and respecting the Members' decisions.

O'Neill: Human resource capacity building is a priority for the nation

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  said strengthening human resources in Papua New Guinea is one of the most important challenges faced today and everyone in the country needs to play a part.
He made the comments yesterday while awards to leading Papua New Guinean organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to developing the human resource capacity of the nation. 
The awards were presented on the opening day of the 2015 Papua New Guinea Human Resource Institute (PNGHRI) National Congress in Port Moresby.
 "Our nation in a period of true transition and it is absolutely vital we get this transition right,"  O'Neill said.
"As a community, and as a country, we need everyone to do his or her part in making sure that we develop our country to have a better standard of living.
"Our Government is focusing on ensuring the transition we are going through today is going to deliver real benefits to Papua New Guineans, especially for our children into the future.
"This human resources conference is very important in ensuring our country takes a strategic approach in strengthening the human resources capacity.
"I am looking forward to receiving the outcomes of your deliberations."
The Prime Minister said education was central to fully develop human resources in Papua New Guinea.
"One thing I want our people to remember is that this government is all about educating people in our country through investment in students, teachers and infrastructure.
"As an example, with new infrastructure we are able to increase the intake at the University of Papua New Guinea.  This is due in part to the increase in student accommodation when we hand over the Games Village to the university.
"The Government will continue to invest in the learning facilities in our country, and we are naming these institutions in the budget so that money goes direct to these schools.
"The funding of education, like many core government services, can be delivered at a local level where needs can be properly assessed and funds delivered direct.
"Our Government is ensuing that for the first time there is a transition of funds that are going directly to the districts and to the local communities.
"We are funding Local Level Government authorities this year with K100,000 and next year this will again increase to K500,000.
"This is for every LLG in the country, and we are funding every district through funding that has never been there before.
"I urge people to go to the remote areas and see that this funding is being fully used."

PM O’Neill bilateral meeting summary from Japan

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  held a series of bilateral meetings with regional Leaders as part of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7) in Iwaki City, Fukushima, Japan.
Major multilateral conferences provide opportunities to speak informally with Leaders from our partner countries, while also taking enabling formal bilateral meetings with as many Leaders as time permits.
The Prime Minister held formal bilateral meetings in Iwaki City with the Leaders of the delegations from Samoa, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Australia, that provided an opportunity to discuss matters of joint significance.

Samoa

O'Neill met with the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and advised his long-serving counterpart of Papua New Guinea's desire to present him with the nation's highest award.
"I informed Prime Minister Malielegaoi that the Government of Papua New Guinea would like to bestow upon him a Logohu Award," Prime Minister O'Neill said.
"As the senior statesman of the Pacific island countries, Prime Minister Malielegaoi has been instrumental in advancing regional development and cooperation, and facilitating warm relations between countries.
"We look forward to the Logohu Award being presented to Prime Minister Malielegaoi when he visits Port Moresby in September for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting."
The Prime Ministers further discussed Papua New Guinea investments in Samoa and plans for the Bank of South Pacific to expand its operations to Samoa.

Vanuatu

In the meeting between O'Neill and the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Joseph Natuman, the leaders discussed disaster relief following Cyclone Pam in April this year.
"It was important to have Prime Minister Natuman's personal perspective of ongoing efforts to recover from the damage caused by Cyclone Pam,"  O'Neill said.
"The disaster support provided by Papua New Guinea has been well received and is being used to help people in Vanuatu to rebuild their lives."
The Prime Ministers further discussed the possibility of expanding air links through an air services agreement that would further facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.
Prime Minister Natuman also advised that Vanuatu university students would be coming to study in Papua New Guinea from the first semester for 2016 as part of the Memorandum of Understanding that was recently signed between the two countries.

Solomon Islands

O'Neill reaffirmed Papua New Guinea's commitment to the Solomon Islands in his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Douglas Ete, highlighting the ongoing development support arrangement that is in place.
"The Solomon Islands is a very important friend of Papua New Guinea and we are providing development support to improve lives," the Prime Minister said.
"We have in place a 100 million Kina development corporation assistance program that we are delivering over five years.
"This was formalised in 2012 and we will present the next tranche of this support when we attend the MSG meeting in Honiara in June."
The leaders also discussed the Melanesian submarine telecommunications cable and the advantages this will bring to the broader region.

Australia

The final formal bilateral meeting for the Prime Minister was with the Australia's Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, which covered a number of issues of concern including the proposal for a consular office in Buka, the Manus Regional Processing Centre and visa issues. 
Also attended by the Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister, Rimbink Pato, the meeting provided an opportunity to reach common ground on some outstanding issues.
"We accept that there was a misunderstanding and communications processes were not followed in relation to the foreign consulate proposal. 
"I will leave it to Australia to make a formal announcement on their views and we look forward to moving on.
"With the Manus centre we are seeing the number of asylum seekers reduce as many return to their home countries. 
"Those who are approved and deemed to be legitimate refugees, and want to make a contribution and apply their skills in our community, will have the opportunity to stay."
The Prime Minister has called for progress to be made in coming to a shared position on facilitating easier visa access for Papua New Guineans seeking to visit Australia.
"This visa issues as been complicated for several reasons, but we now need to move to a resolution whereby travel for Papua New Guineans and Australians between our countries is simplified."
This issues is anticipated to be raised at an upcoming ministerial level meeting between Papua Guinea and Australia in Port Moresby in June.
The Prime Minister earlier held bilateral meetings with the President of Palau, Thomas Remengesu Jr, and Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, earlier in Tokyo.

Low cost weekend packages to the Madang Festival

From Sir Peter Barter (someone who has faithfully promoted Beautiful Madang amidst the deafening howls of the Mad Dogs)

MTS owners of the Madang resort and Kalibobo Village are offering special packages to see the Madang Festival over the Queens Birthday Weekend to coincide with the  spectacular Madang Festival.
The packages offered start at just K699 per person from Port Moresby and K499 from Lae and Wewak, they include return airfares on Travel Air, three nights accommodation in budget rooms at the beautiful Madang Resort, buffet breakfasts, transfers, airport transfers and tickets to see the Madang Festival which promises to be one of the largest festivals in PNG with more than 40 sing sing groups, 20 bamboo bands, sporting events, canoe races and novelty events.
MTS executive Alex Paira said that the packages are made possible in conjunction with the cooperation of the Madang Resort and Travel Air which are expected to attract many residents in PNG to visit beautiful Madang and an affordable rate.  Mr Paira said that there is only limited space. Those interested in bookings should not hesitate and book immediately and take advantage of the special rates.   Apart from witnessing the Madang Festival, the Madang Resort is offering free use of Kayaks, sailing catamarans, tennis and sightseeing tours are available upon request.
Travel Air Depart Port Moresby on Friday afternoon and return to Port Moresby and Wewak on Monday.  There are special conditions which are available upon request and bookings can be made on line madangresort.com or email info@madangresort.com Tel 4241300 indicating Madang Festival Package.

Importance of tsunami awareness highlighted at PALM 7

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  has joined fellow Pacific Leaders in commemorating the tragic loss of life that occurred following the Japan's East Coast Tsunami in 2011.
The commemoration was led by Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, near Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, as part of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7) being held in Japan.
O'Neill made special note of the resilience of the survivors in the town, and said they share a special bond with survivors of the Aitape Tsunami that occurred in Papua New Guinea 1998.
"Our thoughts and condolences go to the families who lost loved ones in the tsunami, and to the survivors who suffered as a result of the disaster," the Prime Minister said at one of the locations where the tsunami struck in Japan.
"While we can see the aftermath of the tsunami and the destruction that it leaves behind.
"Only those people who experienced a tsunami can fully understand the power and the horror of the waves as they destroyed this town in Japan and villages up and down the coast from Sissano Lagoon in Papua New Guinea.
"We remember the lives lost and the lives ruined by these terrible events."
 O'Neill said lessons have to be learned from disasters such as tsunamis, this includes clear planning and strategies implemented to preserve life and property.
"We cannot stop tsunamis but we can work together to develop ways to reduce their impact on communities.
"New technologies are making it easier to ensure that people can receive tsunami warnings and take action.
"People in places that are at-risk need to be ready to act at a moment's notice when a tsunami warning is issued.
"Public education is essential in saving lives in these disasters and Papua New Guinea supports Japan's proposal to have an annual United Nations Tsunami Awareness Day."
Floral wreaths were laid at the disaster area that is now undergoing extensive rehabilitation and defences established to protect against future tsunamis.
PALM 7 was hosted by Prime Minister Abe and the President of Palau, Thomas Remengesu Jr, in Iwaki on 22-23 May 2015.

PM O’Neill highlights localising development program delivery

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  has highlighted the importance of tailoring approaches to the implementation of development programs to work in local circumstances.
O'Neill made the comments in his first intervention at the Plenary Session of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7) that is taking place in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
The first session of PALM7 highlighted approaches by countries to facilitate development in their context, and utilising multilateral forums to advance initiatives around the region.
The Intervention by the Prime Minister provided context to core development priorities in Papua New Guinea, and acknowledged Japan's support for Pacific development initiatives

Text of Intervention by Prime Minister O'Neill:

Development in our region is guided by sustainable principles and approaches that should be determined by our individual and collective responsibility.
The region recognises the changing global circumstances that highlight the fragility of the global ecosystem and the additional value it places on the environment, climate security, and food and water security.
Our region has the greatest potential, but we are also faced by some of the most significant challenges in the world today.
The SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action SAMOA Pathway expresses those challenges and priorities. 
We are grateful for the Government of Japan's action to extend support in the Pacific Region to encourage sustainable development.
The region's particular vulnerabilities and strengths are noted in the Sustainable Development Goals and post 2015 Development Agenda.
Too often there is a problem with the definitions used to set development targets.
As an example, the Millennium Development Goals should not be seen as a one-size-fits-all approach.
While Papua New Guinea continues to have challenges in meeting the MDGs as defined in the global criteria – but we are seeing real development in our country through the implementation of core development priorities.
These are in education, healthcare, security and infrastructure.
By providing free education for all children we have been able to increase access to education from just over one million children to nearly two million children in the last three years.
We are extending universal healthcare throughout our country, which has very remote areas, that are challenging to reach.
We have placed a priority on increasing spending on security, the judiciary and corrective services.  We are also building the infrastructure that our people and our SMEs need to trade and to travel.
These are the important elements in the development of our country, and in any country.
In the facilitation of development in any country, again, there is no-one-size-fits-all approach to development. 
I also want to take this time to acknowledge the Government of Japan for the pilot initiative on the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund which addresses key environmental issues and the effects of climate change in the region.
This will indeed bring positive change to the lives of our people.
There is need to progress this pilot initiative, and I call for the Government of Japan to continue to support the PEC Fund and replicate it across the region, particularly those most affected.
We applaud regional programs in dealing with the causes and effects of climate change in our region.
We welcome Japan's Green Climate Fund and the fund that has been announced today.  This will help countries in our region improve energy efficiencies – particularly renewable energy sources.
Thank you.

NB: The conference is co-Chaired by the Prime Minister of Japan, Hon Shinzo Abe, and current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, the President of Palau, Hon Thomas Remengesu Jr.