The Department of Foreign Affairs ended yet another successful year with a Christmas Luncheon held on Monday 16th December, where two milestone achievements were also announced and launched. These two milestone achievements were the department’s new Housing Policy and the new website. Officiating at the event was the Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, who hailed the new housing policy and website as a significant achievement for the department that would greatly benefit its staff and with it, improve the operations of the Foreign Affairs Department. The Minister said the department has already funded residential blocks with subdivisions, and fencing for the first 60 staff, who will be selected under a criterion by the Department of Foreign Affairs. These first 60 will then apply for loans to start building their dream homes. This is all about change in the department as well where the minister highlighted that by having proper homes for staff members and their families, the staff will perform better in the department. “I’m very happy that it has come to a reality, and I thank our government for the support,” said the minister. The housing policy has been produced to guide the Department of Foreign Affairs provide affordable, adequate and quality housing for tis staff. In a nutshell, the objective of the policy is to enhance the performance and productivity of the personnel of the department, leading to overall effectiveness of the organization. Housing has been a critical issue affecting welfare, security and ability of staff to live a quality life. Through this policy, the department will deliver a housing program to ensure staff have access to adequate, affordable and quality housing. Meantime, the new website is a one- stop- shop for the public and even foreign missions to access information on Papua New Guinea (PNG) and information on the department and what it’s doing. “We have to be up to date with technology and up to date with news and information,” Minister Tkatchenko said, stressing the need for the Department of Foreign Affairs to be a robust organization going forward. Tkatchenko officially launched the policy and the website with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby city, witnessed by the department's staff, senior officers and the Department Secretary, Mr. Elias Wohengu.