Kerebi DAVID

25 youths from Ragamuga settlement outside 6mile were all smiles today when they graduated with certificates in different trades at Don Bosco Technical School. Ragamuga Youth Coordinator Adamson Nul highlighted that this was first of its kind where all fees were paid in full under the sponsorship of Moresby South member Justin Tkatchenko and NCD Governor Powes Parkop. “The short courses were part of the TVET scholarship which was facilitated by TVET Coordinator Ms Rose Agua in partnership with Don Bosco Technical School.” Mr Nul stated that most of the youths were grades 10 and 12 drop outs and this was their second chance to better their lives. He said there were actually 30 youths in the beginning who registered, however 5 left due to their own personal reasons and 25 completed the 5 months courses, 1 female and 24 male. “These youths took courses in IT, House wiring, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, Heavy Equipment fitter, welding and electricity.” Nul added that this graduation today brought great joy to the families of the graduates the community in Ragamuga. “These certificates received today is not the end, with the assistance of Justin Tkatchenko and Governor Powes Parkop under TVET, there are plans laid out for these youths to get their ITC 1 and ICT 2 papers next year at Don Bosco Technical school.”

An exclusive workshop facilitated by the South Pacific Community (SPC), in partnership with the PNG Office of Ocean Affairs (OOA), the Department of Justice and Attorney General and the European Union is currently underway in Port Moresby. SPC through the European Union funded Pacific Solutions Integrated Ocean Management (PSIOM) Programme, is supporting PNG to review existing legislations and policies with the aim of progressing the implementation of the National Ocean Policy 2020-2030. This comes in line with Papua New Guinea (PNG) taking bold steps to safeguarding its ocean resources and ecosystems, to ensure sustainability for future generations. Acting Director of the PNG OOA Grace Kaue said the State had a responsibility to plan and manage its ocean space to ensure all its users can sustainably benefit from ocean resources. “Integrated ocean management is a holistic approach to manage and protect ocean resources, including ecosystems, biodiversity and human activities in a coordinated and sustainable manner”. “While the National Ocean Policy commits to an integrated approach to ocean management, effective implementation will depend on the harmonisation of sectoral legislation and regulations and improved collaboration between key stakeholders,” Ms Kaue said. She said a key objective of the Ocean Law and Policy Review will be to identify sectoral recommendations to enhance the implementation of collaborative approaches which the Oceans Office can support and facilitate, through its governance committees. PNG is among several countries to have developed National Ocean Policies (NOPs) to address the increasing challenges of managing the needs of multiple ocean users, including fishing communities, the fisheries industry and private sector among others. SPC Ocean and Maritime Deputy Director Jens Kruger said through the PSIOM program, SPC is committed to supporting member countries to sustainably manage and protect the Pacific Ocean. “A common aspiration within national ocean policies in PNG and the Pacific is the growing desire for Integrated Ocean Management (IOM).” “In the Pacific, IOM recognises that traditional knowledge and culture, advanced science and robust laws and policies are key to understanding the ocean and effectively implementing ocean policies through stakeholder consultation, engagement and participation,” Mr Kruger said. A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation of findings and recommendations of the legal review to the PNG National Ocean Committee (NOC) and to establish the implementation status of PNG’s Ocean policy identify gaps and discuss opportunities. The Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science is leading the PSIOM programme and works with Pacific Island government, sub-national authorities, and regional agencies to implement holistic ocean management practices.

In a country like Papua New Guinea, a nation with over 800 languages and tribal group, how do we define a Papua New Guinea woman in such a society? Dame Carol Anne Kidu DBE AO, the first women to enter politics in 1997 and having further served 3 terms in parliament recently defined what a Papua New Guinea woman. She stated that a modern Papua New Guinea woman operating in a Western World is climbing up the ladder efficiently now. It may be slow but it’s happening, this woman is also a traditional Papua New Guinea woman. “We must not expect Papua New Guinea woman to have agency in this cultural context,” said Lady Kidu. “They can be that Papua New Guinea women we have the image of, representing us regionally, internationally and in corporate sectors too but when they go back to their village, they have to play a different role.” Lady Kidu added that to isolate a Papua New Guinea woman from their traditional role in their traditional homes is a disservice to them. To bring all women leaders in the national level together to advocate and empower each other and to unite influential women leaders from across the nation to foster unity, cooperation, and strategic initiatives is very important but also very sensitive. “Gender relationships based on principles of equity is important for all PNG women and we need to keep developing that.”

The Nadi Weather Office says they are anticipating Tropical Disturbance TD02F to become a Tropical Cyclone in the next 6 to 18 hours, and we are expected to feel further effects from tomorrow into Wednesday. The centre of the Tropical Depression is located 1,000 kilometres West North West of Rotuma or 1,300 kilometres North West of Yasawa I Ra. Based on the current forecast track, the cyclone is expected to pass to the West of Viti Levu with a possibility of landfall on the Western Division. It is expected to be a Category 2 Cyclone when it affects most of the Western Division. The weather system is expected to move South East eventually away from the group in the next 2 days. They say the onset of Gale Force winds is expected to affect Yasawa from midday tomorrow and gradually spreading to the rest of the group. This means damaging winds and cyclone impacts could begin several hours prior to the cyclone centre passing over or nearby. Please secure your homes and properties and know your evacuation centres. A Flash Flood Alert is now in force for flood prone areas, small streams and low lying areas within Bua-Lekutu, Dama, Solevu, Wainunu to Kubulau, Wailevu West Coast, Savusavu, Coastal Vaturova – Koroalau; Upper Wainimala, Koro Island, Ovalau Island and Tailevu North. This means flooding of roads, Irish crossings and bridges in low lying areas and flood plains. A Gale Alert remains in force for Rotuma. A Storm Alert remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Western, Northern and Southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. A Gale Alert remains in force for the western half of Vanua Levu (Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu), Eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti group. A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji. A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole of the Fiji group. An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain is affecting the country. The Weather Office says for Rotuma, expect strong Southeasterly winds up to 45 kilometres an hour with gusts to 80 kilometres per hour with winds increasing to 65 kilometres an hour with gusts to 90 kilometres an hour from early tomorrow. They also say there will be periods of rain, heavy at times and a few thunderstorms with rough to very rough seas. For Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Western, Northern and Southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands expect strong Southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr, and winds increasing to 95km/hr with gusts to 130km/hr and becoming clockwise from later tomorrow. There will be periods of rain, heavy at times and a few thunderstorms with rough to very rough seas. For western half of vanua levu [Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu], eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti Group expect strong Southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr with winds increasing to 85km/hr with gusts to 120km/hr and becoming clockwise from later tomorrow. For the rest of the Fiji group expect strong southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr. winds increasing to 55km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr and becoming clockwise from later tomorrow with occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over most places. There might be localised flooding of susceptible communities, businesses and low lying areas. Also localised flooding of minor roads, Irish crossings and bridges with some disruption to traffic flow. There will be poor visibility at land and sea with increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads. Possible impacts due to expected tropical cyclone from later tomorrow with significant damage to houses of very light materials and old galvanized iron roofs blown off. There is also a risk of disruption in communication network and power supply due to damaged power lines. Most plants and crops are expected to be damaged and downed with a few small trees broken and blocking roads with major disruption to traffic flow. There might be flooding of roads, settlements, properties and infrastructure near streams and river banks with displacement of communities near streams and river banks due to flooding with danger to life Also localised disruption of essential services with a very high risk of sea travel for all types of sea crafts Source: Fijivillage.com.fj

United Nations Development Program in partnership with Australian Government and the Joint Parliamentary Women’s Caucus -PNGs National Parliament and Bougainville House of Representatives has held Woman in Leadership retreat, which was launched on Thursday 09th November 2023 and is running a one-day retreat today Friday 10th November 2023 at the Hilton Hotel here in Port Moresby. The joint Parliamentary women speakers plays a pivotal role in unifying forces for female members of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea and this retreat is to bring all women leaders in the national level together to advocate and empower each other. This transformative gathering unites influential women leaders from across the nation to foster unity, cooperation, and strategic initiatives. The primary objective is to advocate for Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment, Women’s Political Participation, and the eradication of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) UNDP Residence Representative Mr Nicholas Booth in his opening remarks stated that gender Inequality is certainly among the biggest challenges PNG faces. “In the UNDP Inequality Index, Papua New Guinea ranks 169 at the bottom, but Gender based Violence, PNG is at the highest level in the Pacific and the Pacific level of Gender Based violence is the highest in the world.” Mr Booth stated that this is an incredibly serious problem that needs to be addressed. “But here is the extra dimension of the problem, you will never see Gender Inequality and you will never get to gender equality unless women have the same power as men, unless women lead equality with men.” Mr Booth added that here in PNG the ceiling is like concrete, and it takes strong women do break through it and the question is, how do women break through that? That is why the Woman in Leadership retreat is important it creates a space for powerful women who can come together and can work together. “Having a retreat like these joint women coercers is such an important way for powerful women leaders to come together for advocacy, to work on issues around them, to learn the tricks and to share the strategies.” Mr Booth further encouraged all women to empower and share and let us spread the partnership for women’s leadership at every level throughout this country. “Country PNG bai i nonap stap orait sapos ol meri ino stap.”

With the interest of the athletes at heart, the Board of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Inc. ("PNGOC") resolved at its meeting on 08 November 2023 to extend the payment deadline for National Federations ("Sports") to pay the mandated K2, 000 levies per athlete and official for the upcoming Pacific Games. The extended deadline will be around lunch time today, Friday 10 November 2023 and the PNGOC has already contacted each of the Sports yet to pay in full and urged them to meet their obligations to their athletes. This is the fourth and final deadline for payment, the first being May 2023. At present, outstanding levies remain due from the Sports of Bodybuilding, Power lifting, Table Tennis (including Para Table Tennis), Taekwondo, Triathlon, Basketball 3x3 and 5x5, Football, Hockey and Touch and these entire amount totals up to K349, 500.00. Sports that have paid in-full are Athletics (including Para Athletics), Boxing, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Va'a, Netball, Volleyball, Rugby 7s and Weightlifting. In acknowledging that some Sports have, amongst other things, made part payments or provided undertakings to pay, the Board stressed that such efforts fall short of the commitment made by these Sports to the Nation and Team PNG, when they applied for justification over 2 years ago. The Board calls on National Federations of affected sports to meet their obligations to their athletes.

PMG Motors has made a significant donation of a brand-new vehicle to Businesses for Health Papua New Guinea (B4H)— a new project vehicle to support the important work of Businesses for Health TB & HIV project. This generous gift underscores PNG Motors' commitment to improving workplace health and productivity outcomes in Papua New Guinea and addressing the nation's high burden of Tuberculosis and HIV. The Businesses for Health TB & HIV project was established in response to the alarming and increasing rates of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in Papua New Guinea, which places immense strain on individuals, productivity, and the entire national economy. Worldwide the mantra for ending TB is that TB is preventable and curable, but here in PNG 5,200 people lost their lives to TB last year. Young people of working age make up most of the case of TB, so the loss of life is often the loss of a family breadwinner, and it is even sadder that in 2023, more babies were born with HIV. Loss of income devastates families and helps to drive conditions which TB loves – overcrowding and untreated coughs. The B4H project plays a pivotal role in raising awareness, providing training for businesses in better workplace management of cases, and facilitating initiatives to find cases of TB earlier and to promote the need to know one’s HIV status. The addition of this new vehicle from PNG Motors significantly enhances the project's capacity to reach workplaces, support our workplace-based TB wardens, and engage with businesses across the NCD. When our trainees save the life of an employee it sends powerful messages about TB prevention and the messages to families and their local communities. Dr Ann Clarke, project supporter at B4H, expressed their gratitude for PNG Motors' generous contribution, saying, "This vehicle represents a significant milestone in our recovery from the devastating impact of COVID on the TB response and our mission to end Tuberculosis and HIV.” “We are immensely thankful to PNG Motors for their support; our existing vehicle was donated to the Business Coalition against HIV and AIDS (BAHA) in 2013 and we have literally worn it out delivering HIV information, condoms and now education about TB, coughing and the better management of TB.” Dr Clarke further stated that the economy is in such terrible shape there no way they could ever raise enough money for a new vehicle, but with the new vehicle, they can continue to visit workplaces, support TB patients into the right services. It enhances their impact, and work toward a TB-free Papua New Guinea. PNG Motors has a longstanding history of corporate responsibility and community engagement. This donation exemplifies their dedication to playing an active role in addressing PNG deadliest infectious disease and social issues within the nation. Mr Steve Lane, Marketing Manager at PNG Motors, during the presentation of the vehicle stated that PNG Motors is proud to contribute to the Businesses for Health TB project. “We have seen our staff succumb to TB and the Cover your cough team present such a positive health message while also addressing Tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea.” “We are not just delivering a safe mode of transport. Our friends at Biz Print have ensured it is also moving billboard sharing the “cover your cough” message and Pacific Assurance mean the team are well insured.” The B4H team have taught us, “Coughing is not normal”, Coughing is a sign of disease, and coughs need to be checked for treatable TB. “This moving billboard means more awareness, and support where it is needed most -which is out on the streets of Port Moresby. We are committed to the success of this B4H and its role in creating a healthier, wealthier future for our nation,” said Steve. This generous gift of a new project vehicle from PNG Motors further strengthens the partnership between the private sector and B4H, demonstrating the profound impact that collaborative efforts can have on improving public health in Papua New Guinea,

The Melanesian Spearhead Group has appointed Fiji and Papua New Guinea prime ministers Sitiveni Rabuka and James Marape as special envoys to Indonesia to "address the West Papua issue", a move that has been welcomed by the Pacific Conference of Churches. The sub-regional group met for its caucus meeting on Monday (Cook Islands time) ahead of the official opening of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga, during which Rabuka proposed sending a representative to Indonesia to facilitate dialogue on the West Papua situation. Rabuka and Marape's mandate will be to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss the pressing issue of West Papua. The MSG caucus reached a consensus that sending a ministerial envoy, as opposed to a bureaucratic-level envoy, would be the most effective approach to addressing the West Papua issue. "Earlier today, the Melanesian Spearhead Group Caucus appointed me as a Special Envoy to address the West Papua issue," Rabuka posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). "Alongside Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea (PNG), we've been tasked with meeting the President of Indonesia to discuss this pressing matter." In August, the MSG leaders failed to reach a consensus in Port Vila to accept the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's (ULMWP) bid to become a full member of the sub-regional grouping, defering the issue to the Forum Leaders Meeting. Vanuatu Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu said Rabuka and Marapae's appointment was "an additional measure" on the West Papua issue. "This is an additional measure agreed to by the MSG which supplements the existing decisions of PIF and MSG for an independent assessment by the UN Human Rights Commissioner and an MSG Leaders visit to West Papua," Regenvanu posted on X. The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has said it "welcomes [the] Melanesian Spearhead Group move to engage further with Indonesia on the situation in West Papua and calls for an inclusive process of engagement that doesn't leave West Papuans out of the talanoa." General secretary Padre James Bhagwan said the PCC "the engagement of ULMWP as MSG Observers will need to be secured by PMs for this process to have legitimacy." However, the PCC is also calling for an imminent persons group, including civil society to accompany the process, for transparency. "The situation in West Papua will also be on the Agenda of the 12th [PCC] General Assembly, which begins in just over a week in Kanaky-New Caledonia," Padre Bhagwan said on X. The PCC General Assembly is expected to gather almost 200 delegates from 35 churches and 12 national councils of churches and regional faith organisations from over 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, making it the largest constituent assembly in the region, he added. Source : RNZ.com

The National Energy Authority as the regulator, is mandated to develop policies and clear guidelines, do research and implementation of technologies in the Energy Sector, both in the electricity space and the refine petroleum products. That’s from National Energy Authority (NEA) Managing Director Mr. Ronald Meketa who said this as he outlined the country’s journey into achieving clean energy. Mr Keketa stated that the good news is Papua New Guines is not a Coal Burning country and about 40% of our total power generation is fossil fuel and 60% is hydro, so that makes Papua New Guinea to be in the 60% renewable power generation space. “The 40% refine, petroleum products are mostly diesel, heavy fuel oil and we have 2 new gas turbine power generation limits.” “In terms of technology now, we are switching from 100% diesel to a dual fuel system, meaning we now have generators that can switch between diesel and gas.” Mr Meketa added that the new power gas engine power plant at Papa is doing up to 50 mega watts, and they are using gas engines and those are the cleanest sort of technology available and it is currently in the ranking cycle. “We are already moving into that space and NEA as the regulator, we are focused on key policies, we already have the draft for solar policy, hydro power policies, geothermal policy and wind energy policy, we also working on hydrogen policy as well as clean green harmony policy.” Mr Meketa further highlighted addition policies that have already been drafted, like the Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) which is a new technology in terms of carbon storage. “Either we have the forest as the carbon sink hole or we extract CO2 from the air and pump them into a gas reservoir that can store CO2, and we are already applying that in PNG and we are not that far in terms of technology exchanges”. He added that unlike five years ago, we are now already stepping into having policy guidelines in place, so we are not at the back and trying to catch up on those advancements in technology. “With PNG having the 2050 vision already in place, given that 40% of our total power generation is based on transitional energy now and we are moving into that space we can achieve renewable energy in less than 10-15 years.”

The Matupit Island Communities in Rabaul District, East New Britain province, recently initiated a mangrove nursery as a community-driven effort to combat climate change under the theme “Greening the Future". The aim of the program was to raise awareness about the importance of mangroves and promote their conservation. The newly established nursery is situated in Matupit Ward 1 and will distribute over 280 seedlings to other wards for planting along their respective beachfronts. The mangrove nursery program received support from the district administration under the Kombiu Local Level Government (LLG), which facilitated an integrated climate change approach incorporating the work of fisheries, agriculture, and climate change authorities. Witnessing this small yet significant occasion were officers from the provincial fisheries division, provincial climate change unit, district officials and the Matupit community. Speaking during the launching was the District Rural Development Officer Mr. Murphy Selep, who expressed gratitude to the district and Kombiu LLG management for their support in ensuring the successful completion of the project. Mr. Selep also commended the community for their active engagement and collaboration in establishing the mangrove nursery. Also, during the launching of the mangrove nursery program, the Provincial Climate Change Officer Ms. Maryanne Wariga also conducted a brief awareness outlining the effects of climate change and emphasized the significance of planting mangroves. She further highlighted their role as barriers against storms, prevention of soil erosion, enhancement of fishing grounds, and protection of the overall eco-system. Member for Ward 1 Mr. Waninara Vuia who was also present at the launching, also expressed gratitude to the Rabaul District Economic sector for their contribution towards meaningful community projects. Mr. Vuia encouraged community members to take ownership of the mangrove nursery initiative, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in environmental conservation. The launching program of the mangrove nursery in Matupit Island Communities showcased a commendable community-driven initiative to combat climate change, and also successfully raised awareness about the benefits of mangroves in mitigating the impact of climate change and protecting the local ecosystem.

The provincial education office in Penama province in Vanuatu says more than 15,000 students will be affected after the destruction of classrooms by Cyclone Lola across Ambae, Maewo and Pentecost islands. Deputy principal education officer of Penama, Christina Garuleo said there are more than 4000 students on Ambae, over 3000 on Maewo and more than 10 000 on Pentecost. Of those Pentecost suffered the most damage after its school buildings had already been wrecked by a cyclone in 2020. The principal of Melsisi School in Central Pentecost, Joseph Molkis, said all of his 400 students have already been sent home. [caption id="attachment_46759" align="aligncenter" width="1071"] Hundreds of students at Melsisi School have been sent home. Photo: Supplied / Joseph Molkis[/caption] The country was now entering the rainy and cyclone season and they could not take students back. He said they will stay at home until the start of the new school year next year, except for those with end of year exams. Molkis said Cyclone Harold in 2020 destroyed all the classrooms and since then pupils have been in temporary shelters fashioned into classrooms. After Harold the dormitories were re-usable once the louvre windows were replaced, but they have all been smashed again by Lola. He said they were still waiting for funding from the government intended for repairs after Cyclone Harold but now they were facing triple the cost. In the wake of Cyclone Lola schools in Shefa, Tafea, and Torba provinces re-opened on Friday but a more cautious approach was being taken in provinces severely affected by the cyclone, namely Malampa and Penama. [caption id="attachment_46760" align="aligncenter" width="1059"] Photo: Supplied / Joseph Molkis[/caption] In cases where damage was extensive, they were considering the use of other buildings to ensure a safe learning environment. The examination schedules, however, will remain unchanged but the Ministry of Education was exploring alternative measures to support students who may have suffered setbacks. Save the Children is setting up spaces for students to sit their final exams. The charity's work will include setting up child friendly spaces in evacuation centres, and temporary learning spaces, including for older students due to sit exams soon. Save The Children's Vanuatu country director, Polly Banks, said the trauma and impact of the cyclone will be taking a toll on young people. RNZ's correspondent in Vanuatu, Hilaire Bule, said the possibility of some distance learning facilities was being considered. Acting director general of MoET, Serge Lewawa, said it was important students facing exams resumed their education as quickly as possible. For those not in exam years, it would be better if they remained at home and teachers would provide them with home schooling packages. Alternatively, online learning could be provided. Schools were being asked to complete the Education Rapid Assessment Form by 1 November. Source: rnz.com

From the Pari Agreement during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris, France on 12 December up until today is 7 years and Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) has established the entire institutional and governance framework said Climate Change Development Authority General Manager Ms. Debra Sungi. She said the policy framework is not an easy task for Papua New Guinea because CCDA had to design policies that capture well the circumstances of our people given that such framework has to do with forestry and land issues, and these issues are very stringy given that in Papua New Guinea context that most land are customary owned. “Every person and stakeholders need to agree what goes down in the legislatives framework and policy." “But so far CCDA has managed to do all with the latest passing of the Climate Change management amendment ACT, this has given us the teeth to actually go ahead and implement the activities and the laws domestically.” With the upcoming COP 28 that will take place from 30 November until 12 December 2023 in the United Arab Emirates, PNG’s key priorities as a country is in issues surrounding loss and damages, fund mechanism and decisions that are designed to have processes that is very accessible to small Island countries including PNG. “Development outcome is while we transition into low carbon road economy, we want to ensure as well that we have the necessary capacity that they will allow us to transit." “Resilient is one aspect that is important too, people need to have the ability to adapt to other impacts of climate change and also change to build infrastructural systems that can stand the impact of climate change.” Ms Sungi further stated that most time often people ask how all these big international summits benefit someone in the village. “Basically all the programs run by the government are actually programs that are being agreed at the international level and they had to domesticate it back into the country.” “While those decisions are made are made at the international level during summits like COPs, we had to be there to ensure that those decisions capture the need and practicality of our country so that we come back and then domesticate it into policies so we can implement them.” During this coming COP 28, PNG CCDA is hoping that there will be more ambitions and more actions to be taken by the developed countries, global stakeholders so that the outcome must benefit all small pacific island countries including Papua New Guinea.