Discussions on issues of climate change, sustainable and inclusive economic development and maritime security are priority issues that will be talked about in the US-Pacific Island Country (US-PIC) Summit held in the United States.
Before his departure on Sunday, Marape said the US-PIC Dialogue is an important meeting and PNG cannot avoid such an international engagement.
“For USA, we have not only stepped up (our relationship) in terms of our security aspect but more importantly a greater focus on commerce and trade and especially in the area of manufacturing,” said Marape.
A letter from US President, Joe Biden inviting PM Marape to attend the summit, states that;
“This Summit will be an opportunity to discuss how we can continue advancing our shared vision of a free and open, resilient, and prosperous Pacific”
The US President cancelled his visit to Papua New Guinea in May to attend to debit limit talks in the US.
Marape said he is expected to meet with Biden for a bilateral meet aside of the main discussions.
“He’s (Biden) trying to organize a bilateral on the side, apart from the main PIC,” said Marape.
Papua New Guinea will host the Chinese Naval Vessel, Qi Jiguang for three days. A training ship that will be arriving in Port Moresby on Tuesday (tomorrow).
Qi Jiguang is on a midshipman training mission and departed Qingdao, China on the 4th of September. Two Indonesian and two Thai midshipmen participated in the internship training.
The Chinese Naval vessel sailed into Indonesia’s Port of Surubaya for the first time on 17th September. On a three day goodwill visit and departed on 20th of September.
The ship is expected to sail into Port Moresby tomorrow (26th of September). Stopping for a three day visit before continuing it’s journey to Fiji.
During these visits, naval officers onboard from five countries are expected to participate in the internship training.
For Papua New Guinea Defence Force, the Maritime Element will host the Chinese visitors. Beginning with a welcome ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at 10am at the Old PNG Ports Wharf.
Since 2018, PNG has hosted Chinese Naval ships almost annually, beginning with the Chinese floating hospital known as Daishan Dao or Ark Peace.
For Qi Jiguang, it will be the second visit into Port Moresby after its 2019 visit.
The visit to Indonesia, PNG and Fiji is part of the China’s International Military Cooperation.
This training aims to improve operational adaptability and capability of Chinese Naval Officer Cadets, strengthened Maritime Cooperation. And building mutual trust with the countries visited.
Qi Jiguang has recently visited other Asian countries on similar Goodwill visits. Including Vietnam, Philippines Thailand and Brunei in June.
The CPL Group is sending nine of its pharmacists to attend the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brisbane, Australia.
This announcement coincides with the World Pharmacist Day. Which is observed on September 25th annually.
Head of City Pharmacy, Pradeep Panda said their participation demonstrates CPL’s dedication to delivering the highest quality in pharmaceutical care.
“We are thrilled to be sending this group of talented pharmacists to represent City Pharmacy at the FIP World Congress,” said Panda.
For this year, CPL is celebrating its Pharmacists who they say is dedicated to providing quality healthcare with City Pharmacy.
The week long congress kicked off yesterday and will run until this Thursday, 28th of September.
The FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical sciences conference is organized by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). It is an annual gathering of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from around the world. Providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and advancements within the pharmaceutical field.
CPL’s team of pharmacists are excited to be a part of this international symposium. It serves as an invaluable opportunity to stay at the forefront of pharmaceutical research, innovation, and patient care.
Conservation Officers and Rangers in Morobe province were participants in a program targeted at enhancing conservation efforts using a special software called SMART.
Known as Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) Application, this software plays a unique role in monitoring wildlife, identifying threats, and optimizing patrol operations.
The participants in this training are from Yopno, Uruwa and Som River (YUS) Conversation area of Kabwum District. Which covers 162,683 hectares.
Robson Soseng, a Ranger from Lower Uruwa Range said, with the knowledge on how to transfer patrol data, they don’t have to travel to Lae to send data.
“I am very happy with the current addition and introduction of SMART Patrol Plans. I learnt earlier this year during a refresher. When I went away and practiced and now with the debrief, it helps even more to correct my mistakes and become better,” said Ranger Soseng.
The software training primarily focuses on tracking, analyzing, and reporting spatial data. It will provide critical insights for informed decision-making regarding specific locations.
Conservation officer of Upper Uruwa, James Jio says he now understands how SMART works. And also how the data rangers collect, will benefit the system as a whole.
“I am so glad as I get to learn how to deal first hand technical issues. Re-installing SMART Application, editing SMART packages and transferring it into my Rangers phone. Transfer data from their phones into our field laptop and above all, I can also do monitoring in the livelihood area as I have installed SMART into my phone,” said Jio.
Dillian Nason, the Research & Monitoring Coordinator of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, facilitated a week-long training on the “Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool” (SMART).
“I believe this approach will reduce the long-term issue of communicating field data and devices with the Lae office. If all CO’s start attending SMART debriefs it will be better results ahead,” Jio continued.
Established in 2019, YUS remains Papua New Guinea’s inaugural conservation site.
It derives its name from the Yopno, Uruwa, and Som rivers. These rivers traverse the Huon Peninsula in Morobe Province. Predominantly situated in Morobe’s Kabwum District, the area is inhabited by approximately 15,000 residents across 50 villages.
This locale serves as a vital habitat for one of Papua New Guinea’s endangered tree kangaroo and the Huon or Matchie’s. A central focus in the Lukautim Graun Program.
Hundreds of people in South Bougainville gathered at Panakei to participate in the 2023 Siwai Cultural Show.
The show hosted annually is a unique way of showcasing the traditional heritage of the Siwai people and provides an economic spin off for the locals.
Chairman of the Siwai Tourism Association, Peter Siunai, said next year it will be called the South Bougainville Show and will include sing-sing groups from Bana, Buin, Torokina and Wisai areas.
“Siwai is very special and the reason being that we have gone through all sorts of problems from bad weather due to continuous rains in the last four months causing bad roads, flooding and shortage of food. However, today is very special for us because for the first time, we have a dry day with the sun shining and your presence here to celebrate with us is a blessing,” said Siunai.
South Bougainville MP, Timothy Masiu who also wore the hat of Patron of Siwai Cultural Show said despite the Siwai cultural show delayed due to bad weather, people worked together to maintain and celebrate their culture.
“Your culture and traditions is very unique and I challenge you all to maintain it and use such events to showcase your culture. Because you are the image of Bougainville that reflects our relationship and identity through culture,” said Masiu.
This is the fourth show since it began in 2019. With the aim of showcasing the diverse culture and traditions of Siwai people of South Bougainville.
A workshop meticulous designed to empower committee members of small business groups and cooperatives was concluded in Aitape, West Sepik Province.
The week-long information session facilitated through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, attracted 45 participants.
Topics talked about in the workshop include critical business management elements for small businesses, business plan preparation, analysis of group’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis), cash flow projection, preparing profit and loss statements, and record keeping.
Participant Donald Mulo and chairperson of Koumete Business Group said he picked up vital skills from the workshop. “The knowledge we gained is very useful, and the workshop assisted us in financial management and bookkeeping, which will help me greatly in managing my group’s business,” said Mulo. Through the EU-STREIT Programme, similar trainings are conducted in rural communities in tho hope to foster the growth of MSME’s in the Sepik region with representatives from the Cocoa Board, the Division of Agriculture and Livestock, the Division of Commerce and Industry, and the Fisheries Office. The involvement of government sector gives participants real-life cases and sector-specific insights into the learning experience, making it highly relevant to the participants and dynamic.
Facilitator, Ayurzana Puntsagdavaa, said FAO is contributing to sustainable development I. The Sepik Region through equipping agripreneurs with vital kills, knowledge, and practical tools.
“The workshop takes a very flexible and demand-based learning approach whereby the depth and speed of training is accordingly adjusted based on the needs of the participants. Participants are also highly encouraged to learn from each other, given such a workshop intentionally brings together a well-mixed group with varying experiences in cocoa, vanilla, and fishery businesses,” said Puntsagdavaa
The OK Tedi mine will continue operation until 2050 following an approval in principal from the OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) Board on the mine’s extension.
OTML Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Kedi IIimbit estimates the extension will generate K30 billion in dividends, royalties, compensation payments and taxes to the shareholders and communities over the next 27 years.
“The approval by the Board on the eve of Papua New Guinea’s 48th Independence is a welcoming gift to the communities in which we operate and who provide us the social license to do continue,” said Ilimbit.
Chairman of OMTL Board, Jeffrey Innes said the mine had tripled its value in the last six years.
“The Strategic Business Plan gives the Board confidence in OTML’s continued operational success,” said Innes.
The approval of the extension of 17 more years from 2033-2050 is based on a Strategic Business Plan submitted by the Executive Team and discussed during the OTML Board Meeting on 13th September.
The extension was factored by several things including;
a strengthen long term copper price outlook, -additional mine waste storage solutions like Engineered Rock waste dumps,
tailoring storage facility to minimize impacts of evironment damage, renewal of aged processing plant assets and
implementation of other strategic programs that are currently in varies stages of completion.
38 members of the Kandangapma Women’s Business Group in Angoram took part in a capacity building program conducted through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-STREIT program.
The group consists of agripreneurs and business minded women, involved in fish processing and marketing, sewing and bilum making.
The first workshop, held in Angoram, centered on topics crucial for the success of MSMEs, like, group dynamics, effective leadership skills, and communication and encourages participants to assume leadership roles.
Assistant Chairlady of Kandangapma Women’s Business Group, Verjulah Mowe said she is now more aware of the different roles and responsibilities of her group members.
“I can now make a clear connection between good leadership and sound communication skills and the success of any group business,” said Mowe.
At the end of the workshop, a FAO-Thiaroye Technique (FTT) site for fish processing (fish smoking) was handed over to the Women’s Business Group.
This capacity-building opportunity had equipped these women entrepreneurs with the skills needed to manage their working capital, including the FTT, more effectively and efficiently as a group.
Patu Shang, the Gender and Youth Inclusion Specialist who took lead in the learning session said such trainings give women insight into management skills.
“When women become economically empowered through MSMEs, they gain a sense of agency, and contribute meaningfully to household incomes, thereby improving food and nutrition security, ultimately leading to a better quality of life,” said Shang.
The National Airport Corporation (NAC) will carry out some repair works on Kagamuga Airport runway starting on the 27th of September.
This will see the downgrading of Fokker 100 services into Mt. Hagen to Q400 (or similar).
NAC says after identifying a deficiency on the 180 meter runway, it will be taking necessary actions to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft is maintained according to aviation rules and regulations.
In a statement released by the Airport Corporation, it says while the repair work is expected to cause some inconvenience to the airline companies, it is important to maintain the airport and vital infrastructure.
Kagamuga is the busiest airport in the Highlands Region serving thousands of people from Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Enga, Jiwaka and Chimbu provinces.
NAC aims to have the runway improved with two months by taking advantage of the favorable weather before the start of the festive season (peak period).
The work will be conducted by a specialist contract independent of the existing contractor for Mt. Hagen.
As operation work progresses, Fokker 70 aircrafts will land in Kagamuga and when work is complete Fokker 100 will resume into Western Highlands Service.
With the closure of Mendi airport and temporary shut down of airline services into Wapenamanda airport, more people are traveling into Mt. Hagen before going to other Highlands provinces.
The Papua New Guinean Government is looking forward to sending a robust contingent to the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister, James Marape said his government is fully committed to assembling a determined and formidable team of athletes for the highly-anticipated 2023 Pacific Games, scheduled to be held in Honiara.
“We wholeheartedly endorse our team and call upon our athletes, Team PNG management, and the PNG Olympic Committee to prepare diligently, upholding our nation’s honor,” said Marape.
The 2023 Pacific Games will be held in Honiara Solomon Islands, from November 19th to December 2nd, 2023.
When launching the 2023 Prime Minister’s Golf Challenge, Marape announced a fundraising initiative aimed at garnering support for Team PNG in their quest for success at the games.
“The National Government’s commitment to our team heading to Honiara is unwavering. It’s heartening to witness corporate organisations stepping forward to offer their support,” said Marape.
Apart from supporting team PNG, the PNG government deployed a contingent of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to Honiara to assist Solomon Islands police provide security during the games.
