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.

PM O’Neill congratulates Team PNG – expands Incentive Program to all athletes

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  has congratulated Team Papua New Guinea for their outstanding performance, and extended the Government's Games cash incentive to include all team athletes who did not win a medal.
Speaking at the post-Games team celebration at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium on Monday night, O'Neill highlighted the hard work of each athlete.
"We know the sacrifice each one of you have made to perform the very best for the nation and our people," the Prime Minister said.
"We must continue to support you.
"The Government has made a decision that we will give all non-medal winners two and a half thousand Kina each to support your training.  This will allow each participant to travel home and meet their expenses.
"Some people do not understand but they are few in numbers.  You have eight million people behind you and they see what you have achieved.
"We will not stop there but we will expand on what we have already built.
"I can assure you that our High Performance Program will continue and we will put more money into making sure you get the best training possible.
"You must continue to use our facilities and do it every weekend so they are not wasted.
"Please continue to train hard and know that your Government will continue to invest in sports in our country."
O'Neill told the athletes that through their efforts at the games, they can see what is possible and reach for their dreams.
"This is just only the beginning for you and many of the thousands of young men and women, who are going to come after you.
"You have made us very proud of your achievements.  Thank you on behalf of our country, you have lifted the pride of our nation through your performance.
"Through your presence and participation you have made us all very proud.
"You have shown the world, not just the region, that Papua New Guinea can do anything we set our mind to.
"Our young population is demanding that we build the greatest nation."
O'Neill also challenged the team to achieve the same result they achieve at the XV Pacific games in four years' time in Tonga with the Government's support.

Hosting the Games, a tough decision and worth every toea

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has praised organisers and teams for the most outstanding Pacific Games in history, and said while the road to Games was not easy it was a very good decision.
"Last night (Saturday) we thanked the best athletes of our region for their outstanding performances over two weeks of competition,"  O'Neill said.
"We saw the best of our athletes and Papua New Guinea won our home games.
"People around the nation are filled with pride and a heightened sense of national unity.
"In the fortieth anniversary of our country as a state, the outcome of the Games is a wonderful achievement.
"I congratulate our super-fish, Ryan Pini as the best male athlete of the Games.
"Eighty-eight gold medals and two hundred and seventeen medals overall is outstanding.
"Forever our country will remember these past two weeks for their heroics, for the outpouring of national passion and for the strengthening of bonds with 23 other countries in our region.
"Thank you Papua New Guinea for getting behind our Games."
Upon reflection, the Prime Minister said proceeding with the hosting of the Games was one of the toughest decisions the new Government had to make when it came to office in 2012.
"When we formed Government we were faced with an enormous challenge when it came to the Pacific Games," the Prime Minister said.
"Papua New Guinea had earlier agreed to host the Pacific Games, but there had been no planning to get us to July 2015.
"There were no usable facilities and no budget identified to build or refurbish existing facilities.
"The months earlier had been lost to political challenges, but with a clear mandate at the election we now had the chance to properly govern and to make plans for our country.
"I was given the options by our officials and there was a simple decision that had to be made. 
"We had to either proceed and spend millions of Kina on developments in a very short period of time, or to quit and walk away.
"Papua New Guinea is not a nation of quitters so I gave the order to proceed with the Games.
"I appointed Justin Tkatchenko as the Minister responsible as I knew he would get the job done, and for three years everyone worked so had to deliver.
"Seeing the success of the Games, the infrastructure that we now have and the way the Games were promoted around the world, I know that proceeding with the Games was the right choice.
"Hosting the Pacific Games was a tough decision and it was worth every toea.
"Papua New Guinea has demonstrated that we can host major events and do so in a professional and financially responsible way.
"We have built the required infrastructure that will now be used at major events including the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting, the FIFA Women's Under 20 Word Cup, APEC in 2018 and I hope the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
"We have a lot to be proud of in Papua New Guinea as we bring the world to our shores."

Pacific Games so far so very good

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has praised athletes and members of the public around the nation for embracing the XV Pacific Games.
 O'Neill said the national spirit and goodwill around the games is a wonderful feeling that will go down as a great highlight in the nation's history.
"This is a proud time to be a Papua New Guinean!" the Prime Minister said at the half-way point of the Games.
"We have thousands of visitors from around the Pacific sharing our home and together we are competing in a spirit of unity.
"I have seen many thrilling contests from athletes at the peak of their careers from all Pacific nations.
"Our visitors have praised the hospitality of Papua New Guineans and they have been made to feel so welcome.
"I thank all Papua New Guineans for demonstrating to the regional and the world the warmth of the nation."
The Prime Minister said the facilities built for the Games have proven their capacity and would serve athletes from Papua New Guinea and the region for decades into the future.
"We have world class sporting facilities now in Papua New Guinea," he said.
"Young children watching the Games with sporting dreams will one day train and compete at these stadiums, pools and courts.
"I again congratulate everyone who has worked so hard in the last few years to deliver these Games.
"Lets continue to get behind our athletes, and our competing nations, to have a great final week of the Games. "
When asked about the Opposition Leader's ongoing criticism of the management of the Games,  O'Neill said now is not the time for politics.
"People right around the nation are embracing our team, cheering our wins and supporting our athletes no matter where they finish.
"Lets enjoy the Games in the spirit it is intended and be part of this wonderful exhibition of sportsmanship and friendship.
"Please be a proud Papua New Guinean and not a complainer.
"This is a time for our nation to celebrate and to shine."

Police anticipate positive outcome for 2015 Pacific Games security

Chairman of the 2015 Pacific Games Police Security Operations acting Deputy Commissioner Administration Jim Andrews is confident that Papua New Guinea will deliver a safe, secure and incident free 2015 Pacific Games.
"I know we are just only three days into the 2015 Games but the genuine support, commitment and cooperation of our people have been incredible,"  Andrews said.
He thanked all members of the organizing committee for their support and cooperation and the government for its support in funding.
"I want to thank commander of the security operations for the 2015 Games Chief Superintendent David Manning and committee members for their support and tireless efforts."
Andrews said planning began in early 2013.
"Despite many challenges, we have managed to peacefully welcome the opening of the games and are now going into the first three days of the games.
"It's our responsibility as police officers to provide security for the games so that participants and supporters from other sister countries can fully enjoy the true spirit of the 2015 Pacific Games without encountering any problems.
"I also want to extend my appreciation to the venue commanders and members of the Royal PNG Constabulary the PNG Defence Force, Correctional Service and other state agencies for their dedication and commitment to come together to achieve this early positive result.
"I am confident of positive outcomes in as far as security and safety for our visitors is concerned," Andrews said.