A two-day National Climate Change Summit concluded successfully in Port Moresby today, reaffirming Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) climate change adaptation and mitigation priorities.
This was the second Summit following the first in 2021.
Facilitated by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), the Summit was regarded as a momentous occasion to identify key challenges and opportunities of addressing climate change in the country.
The Summit also focused on strengthening coordination roles amongst stakeholders, promote private sector engagement in climate finance, and re-affirm climate action priorities and guidance from stakeholders for Government consideration.
Participated at the Summit were Heads of Agencies, Development Partners, Private Sectors, Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and individuals.
During the opening, newly appointed Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, the Honorable Simo Kilepa, emphasized the need to prioritize and strengthen collaboration by relevant sectors in their efforts of addressing climate change.
“As government, people, entities and sectors, we must continue to step up our roles in what we can do to ensure our country is resilient to impacts of climate change which is already affecting us.
“Our country’s Vision 2050 and the Medium-Term Development Plan three already provide us a clear direction of what PNG needs to do to adapt to domestic impacts of climate change and contribute to global efforts of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
“Sectors must therefore work in alignment and strengthen implementation of climate related policies and plans in place”, said Mr. Kilepa.
The Summit concluded with a signing of a communique, which captured the outcome of the Summit and key actions going forward.
CCDA’s Acting Managing Director William Lakain when highlighting CCDA’s efforts on climate change, also emphasized the significance of stakeholder collaboration in implementing the country’s priority climate actions.
“CCDA as the lead coordinating agency for climate change actions in PNG, we have formulated policy, enacted legislation and regulations, driven programs and projects to prepare implementation of mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.
“But there are so much we can do. To fully achieve our country’s climate objectives and goals, we require relevant sectors, such as Land, Forest, Health, Agriculture and Infrastructure to work together moving forward”, said Mr. Lakain.
Mr. Lakain further acknowledged the support of Development Partners and sponsors, stakeholder participants and organizers for successfully delivering the Summit.
The Summit was financially and technically supported by Global Green Growth Institute (PNG), the Australian Government, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, Kina Bank, Newcrest Mining Limited, Deloitte and Steamships Trading Company.