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.

Oil Search Ltd. hurt by Papua New Guinea quake

by Daniel J. Graeber, upi.com
April 17, 2018

A major earthquake in Papua New Guinea is partly to blame for a 24 percent loss in revenue and a 36 percent loss in production, Oil Search said Tuesday.

Production and revenue are down considerably from the fourth quarter for Oil Search Ltd. following a February earthquake in Papua New Guinea. Photo courtesy of Exxon Mobil

Oil Search is a partner in a liquefied natural gas facility and oil production in Papua New Guinea. In a report on operations through March 31, the company said its first quarter production of 4.84 million barrels of oil equivalent was 36 percent lower than fourth quarter 2017
"This reflected the shut in of Oil Search-operated production and the PNG LNG project following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the PNG highlands on Feb. 26," the company stated.
Exxon Mobil said Friday that one train -- the part of its plant that turns gas to liquid -- is back in service. The second train will restart once the plant's production increases.
Exxon shut down much of its infrastructure and evacuated non-essential personnel from the areas impacted by the quakes. Oil Search said some of the transit infrastructure, bases and a refinery were damaged, but "the operating facilities generally withstood the earthquake well, with no loss of oil or gas containment identified."
The company added, however, that while production was disrupted, there was no impact on plans to expand LNG activities. A total of three trains are expected in the LNG development concept.
Nevertheless, Oil Search said its insurance loss adjuster outlined an initial estimate for damages to its assets at between $150 million and $250 million.
The International Monetary Fund said the economy in Papua New Guinea had "slowed sharply." More than 270,000 people still need humanitarian assistance following the quake. Oil Search said about 200 people died as a result of the quake and many residents are without basic necessities.
The company has contributed about $5 million in cash to support disaster relief efforts.

PNG Earthquake Response Logistics Situation Update (16 April 2018)

reliefweb.int | April 16, 2018

Logistics Operational Updates

Click for full report

Australian Defence Force (ADF) C-130J was available until 15 April. After the departure of ADF C-130J on 16 April, out of the submitted Request for Assistance (RFA), over 70 MT of WFP and IFRC food and non-food items still require air assistance from Port Moresby to Moro and Mt. Hagen and from Mt. Hagen to Moro.

New Zealand is also considering to partner with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to provide a subsidised flight service in which aid agencies can access, through a booking request system, cargo space with a 50% cost reduction. Funding decisions are due this week, and New Zealand will be able to confirm the outcome at next week’s meeting.

Oil Search Limited (OSL) has granted the use of their Moro facility as a logistics hub for operations to the earthquake affected areas that are only accessible via helicopter. OSL wrote to the Office of the Emergency Controller outlining the scope of their support. A WFP Logistics Officer has been deployed to Moro base as the focal point for coordination in support of the Logistics Working Group.

While many access roads are being re-established, last-mile transport to locations only reachable via helicopter continues to be a major constraint for the response. The Logistics Working Group is working on identifying commercial options to ensure that remote communities can be reached, however it needs the cooperation of the cluster leads to identify those communities.

Researchers mark death of Pearl Harbor mastermind Yamamoto with visit to Bougainville

wtop.com | April 16, 2018 

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A group from the U.S. and Japan is trekking to a remote Pacific island jungle to document what is considered one of the most important wreck sites of World War II: where American fighters shot down a Japanese bomber carrying the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack.

FILE - This May 21, 1943, file photo shows Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese combined fleet and the mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A group from the U.S. and Japan is trekking to a remote Pacific island jungle in Papua New Guinea to document what is considered one of the most important wreck sites of World War II: where American fighters shot Yamamoto down 75 years ago. (AP Photo, File)

Three members of a New York-based WWII research organization and a Japanese aviation expert plan to visit the crash site on Bougainville, part of Papua New Guinea, on Wednesday, the 75th anniversary of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s death.
Yamamoto had spent several years in the U.S. earlier in his military career, studying at Harvard University and admiring America’s industrial might. In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, he was quite possibly the most hated man in America.
“As long as he lived, the Japanese navy was a threat,” said Donald A. Davis, a Colorado-based writer who told the story of “Operation Vengeance” in a 2005 book. “He was feared in the Pacific.”
Historians generally credit Yamamoto, an innovative proponent of air power, with the idea of attacking the U.S. Pacific fleet and convincing Japanese military leaders that his plan could work. The Dec. 7, 1941, sneak attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor on Hawaii’s Oahu Island killed more than 2,400 people, sunk or damaged 18 ships, destroyed 300 warplanes and drew the U.S. into the war.
Getting Yamamoto became very much a mission of its own.
The big break for the U.S. came on April 13, 1943, when Navy code breakers discovered that Yamamoto planned to tour bases in areas of the Solomon Islands still held by Japanese forces. The admiral’s tour was scheduled for April 18 — just five days away.
U.S. military officials quickly approved an air mission to intercept the admiral’s plane and shoot it down. The task fell to a squadron of Army Air Forces P-38 Lightnings based on Guadalcanal, in the Solomons. After the pilots closely reviewed Yamamoto’s flight plan, 16 P-38s flew 400 miles west and spotted two enemy bombers over Bougainville, another island in the Solomon archipelago.
While some of the P-38s engaged Yamamoto’s fighter escort, other American planes attacked the two bombers. One slammed into the jungle, while the other crashed off shore. Yamamoto, 59, was among 11 men who died in the plane that crashed on land.
Yamamoto’s death was yet another blow to the Japanese after the tide of the Pacific war turned with the American victory at Midway and the taking of Guadalcanal.
Japanese troops recovered Yamamoto’s body, cremated it and sent his ashes back to Japan, where the admiral was given a state funeral.
But Japan didn’t officially announce Yamamoto’s death until weeks later, saying he died aboard a warplane “while directing general strategy on the front line,” according to an Associated Press story on the announcement in Tokyo.
The U.S. military had wanted to keep his death a secret lest the Japanese learn their code had been broken.
But one of the American pilots on the mission had spilled the beans almost immediately, telling everyone upon landing that he had shot down Yamamoto’s plane. (Decades later, historians determined another pilot had fired the fatal burst). As the worst-kept secret in the Pacific spread among American troops, AP correspondent J. Norman Lodge confirmed details of the mission even before the Japanese announcement, but U.S. military censors withheld his story.
The Pentagon didn’t officially release details of the mission until Sept. 11, 1945, nine days after Japan surrendered.
The wreckage of the Yamamoto’s Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” bomber remains in the jungle. Most of the plane was destroyed on impact but a large section of the tail survives. Over the decades, parts of the plane were removed and placed in museums.
Justin Taylan, founder of New York-based Pacific Wrecks who has been compiling data on WWII airplane crashes for more than 20 years, said the purpose of visiting the Yamamoto site is to “document the wreckage and perform digital preservation of what remains for posterity.”
The group will commemorate the anniversary at the site with a Shinto religious ceremony conducted by Japanese WWII aircraft expert Yoji Sakaida.
Yamamoto remains a revered figure in Japan, where a museum was established in his honor in his hometown of Nagaoka. Artifacts on display include the left wing from Yamamoto’s aircraft. Museum officials say an annual memorial event will be held Wednesday morning at nearby Yamamoto Memorial Park, where the house in which he was born once stood