The President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB), Ishmael Toroama, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the HALO Trust, supported by a U.S. government grant, to tackle the issue of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the region. Under the agreement, The HALO Trust will use the $2.25 million (K9.2 million) funding from the U.S. to locate, remove, and improve tracking of UXO left behind from World War II. While the MOA focuses on operations within Bougainville, the funding will support UXO clearance efforts in Oro Province as well. The MOA addresses three key areas: • To locate and remove unexploded ordnance, The HALO Trust will survey and map UXO-contaminated areas in the ARoB, and excavate hazardous areas identified during the survey to remove the buried UXO. The survey and disposal of UXO will protect the lives and livelihoods of people in Bougainville and will prevent UXO from being misused. • To ensure the safety of the community, The HALO Trust will teach risk education in schools and community facilities to increase understanding of the UXO threat and to reduce risk taking behavior. • To invest in the future of the community, The HALO Trust will employ and train people from Bougainville, including delivering explosive ordnance disposal (bomb disposal) training to the PNG Defence Force and the Royal PNG Constabulary including the Bougainville Police Service. Additionally, The Halo Trust will contribute to the review and improvement of national tracking for UXO. U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ann Marie Yastishock, welcomed the signing of the agreement, calling it a critical first move in tackling the legacy of World War II. “Signing this MOA with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is the first step to The HALO Trust conducting this important work addressing unexploded ordnance.” “The U.S. government is the world’s largest supporter of conventional weapons destruction to make communities safer." Working with The HALO Trust, it was important to us that the project also increase the response capacity of local entities and reducing the risk to Papua New Guineans by UXO. We are looking forward to seeing these projects commence.” ABG President Ishmael Toroama thanked the to The HALO Trust and the United States Government for the collaboration. “This partnership is more than just a clearance operation — it is an investment in the safety, wellbeing, and future of our people.” “By removing the deadly remnants of past conflicts, we are freeing our communities to live, work, and build their lives without fear.” Simon Conway, Head of New Programs for The HALO Trust, said they are eager to remove the legacy of World War II bombs so that communities can go about their daily lives safely, and he expressed gratitude to the United States government for its support.