The United States Embassy today officially re-opened its newly renovated American Corner inside the National Library, in Port Moresby.

The American Corner was established nine years ago in partnership with the National Library to allow Papua New Guineans to learn about the United States and its support to the Pacific.

United States Ambassador to PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Ambassador Erin McKee and the Director National Library, Robert Yalip cut a ribbon to signify the reopening.

Ambassador McKee said nine years ago this month, the U.S. Embassy and the National Library forged a partnership to bring America and PNG closer together.

“The embassy provides computers, books, and free internet to ensure that Papua New Guineans have access to accurate news about the United States and the world, free from false narratives.

“The National Library, in exchange, provides us with this incredible space and more importantly, two coordinators who oversee a robust variety of programs.

She said Papua New Guineans can enter for free, search for scholarships, apply for jobs, attend workshops, or improve their knowledge and skills through the US programs.

“American Corners are gateways for audiences to learn about American society, culture, and values.

“And America and PNG have so much in common, it is no surprise that we have such a strong partnership and a robust American Corner.

“Our two democracies share a vision where citizens have free access to information, freedom of speech, and freedom to vote.

McKee pointed out that America and PNG are working together to form a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“We have opened the door to cooperation and collaboration, and PNG has freely chosen to partner with us.

“The American Corner is a symbol of that collaboration,” McKee said.

The Director National Library, Robert Yalip thanked the US Embassy for its commitment to educating Papua New Guineans through resources available in the American Corner.

Pictures: Courtesy of US Embassy Communications Team.

After two and a half years in Port Moresby, Ambassador Erin McKee, the United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu is leaving.

Ambassador McKee announced today that she will be departing PNG in a few weeks for her next assignment.

“I’m leaving knowing that all three countries are in a better position to prosper than when I arrived.

“We fulfilled our promise to engage on issues of health, prosperity, security, and our many shared values.

“We fulfilled our promise to promote gender equality and rule of law.

“We fulfilled our promise to level the playing field and equip women and men with the tools they need to succeed.”

She said together, America and PNG are providing opportunities to all people.

“That’s what democracies can and must do,” McKee said.

She said although she is sad to be leaving, the United States is expanding their presence in the region and is here to stay.

Apart from renovating the American Corner at the National Library, they are also building the new US Embassy.

“The New Embassy, which is nearing completion, symbolizes the United States’ strengthened and enduring partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, while advancing U.S.-Pacific commitment to prosperous, inclusive, secure, and democratically empowered societies,” McKee said.

Prime Minister, James Marape announced that the Bank of Papua New Guinea has recorded the highest levels of foreign exchange ever.

He made the announcement in parliament that BPNG made more than K10 billion, amidst the international crisis brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Marape revealed this in Parliament when answering a question from NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, on whether PNG had sufficient forex for fuel importers, particularly Puma Energy which runs the Napanapa Refinery.

“At this point in time, Bank of PNG has more foreign reserves than it has ever had, more so for the last 10 years,” he said.

“Today, we have got K10 billion-plus, or about US$3 billion sitting in our foreign reserves.

“This means that important customers like Puma, and others who need forex, should have easy access now to US dollars for their purchases.”

The Prime Minister said if Puma had problems accessing foreign reserves to bring in fuel, they should see Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey or himself, to assist.

“This is so that in these tough times, we don’t have queues (for forex), or shortage of fuel in our country,” he said.

On the question of whether Napanapa could source oil from Kutubu in Southern Highlands, PM Marape said Kutubu had fixed contracts, but could attend to domestic market obligations as well.

“As you know, Kutubu Crude has export contracts to it, but this is something that we are looking at going forward into the future,” he said.

“That is why this Government has already been aggressive in the domestic market obligation side of gas, so that we move into the space of downstream.

“Downstream processing is something that we have overlooked in our country for many, many years, but we are now moving to get more from our oil and gas so that we Move into downstream processing.

“This is so that in the future we are not so dependent on imported items like fuel, we are not dependent on external market forces, where a price rise means rise in prices in our domestic economy.”

The PNG Kapuls have just earned their spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania Qualifiers after beating Fiji 2-1.

Fijian Midfielder, Tevita Waranaivalu scored Fiji’s one goal in the first half of the match, before being sent off with a red card for using his elbows against PNG Kapuls Forward, Ati Kepo, leaving the Fijian side with only 10 players.

The red card made a lot of difference for PNG.

A strike into the corner by Kapuls forward, Ati Kepo leveled the scoreboard just before the half-time buzzer on the 45th minute.

PNG came back stronger in the second half, this time dominating the game, mostly keeping possession of the ball.

A second strike into the corner of the Fijian goal by Kapuls Forward, Tommy Semmy at the 63rd minute brought the scoreboard to 2-1 ensuring PNG’s lead.

Despite a number of missed targets by forwards Raymond Gunemba and Tommy Semmy, the Kapuls dragged Fiji on throughout the rest of the second half, eventually claiming the win at full-time.

Captain Alwin Komolong expressed pride in the team’s effort and said going into the semi-final is a massive achievement for the Kapuls and for PNG.

The Kapuls are now safe into the semi-finals and now look forward to going up against Solomon Islands on March 27th.

Picture: Courtesy of Oceania Football Confederation

With a dream for Madang to grow into an economic powerhouse for Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister James Marape announced a funding of K100 million for the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ).

Marape said hundreds of millions of kina for the PMIZ had been squandered during the terms of the past two governments, with nothing to show for, and assured the people that this would not happen again.

“The project would be managed by the National Fisheries Authority and the K100 million, included in the 2022 Budget, had already been allocated,” said Marape.

The PMIZ project was first mooted in 2004, and launched by the O’Neill government in 2015, but nothing has happened with hundreds of millions of kina wasted.

Marape said the National Government will spearhead this and appeals to the people in Madang to support his Government drive the project.

The Prime Minister assured the people of Madang that the mistakes of the past two governments would not be repeated.

“We are doing it (PMIZ) much better (than previous governments),” he said.

“This year, for the first time, we are putting K100 million into the PMIZ project.

“We will be making the PMIZ project come to life for the first time.”

A leading environmental and human rights firm will be tasked to carry out an impact assessment on the Panguna Mine and its surrounding communities.

This was discussed in the second meeting of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Committee held recently in Ioro in the Panguna area of Central Bougainville.

The committee, made up of representatives from various clans in Panguna including the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and mining company Rio Tinto met to discuss a way forward in assessing the environment and human rights impacts and damages associated with the now defunct Panguna Mine.

Following an agreement made in the 1st meeting, a draft assessment report was presented to provide vital information to the impacted communities for the main impact assessment to begin.

“Throughout this process engaging well and informing our community members will be critical for the impact assessment,” said Paramount Chief Blaise Iruinu.

Currently the impact assessment is in a tender process where a firm will be selected to undertake this process within an 18-month period. An independent fund management system is also in place to enable a transparent contracting and payment of the selected contractor.

With discussion being made on the possibility of reopening the Panguna Mine, the legacy committee has agreed to keep the ABG informed on the progress of the impact assessment.

The assessment is planned to start in July.

Meanwhile A 3rd meeting of the committee will be held in May with representatives from Rio Tinto.