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US-PIC Progress So Far

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US-PIC

PNG Prime Minister, James Marape says there has to be a practical measurement of progress being made between the United States and Pacific Island nations, including PNG, since the first US-PIC Forum Dialogue in 2022.

Marape encouraged the US to consolidate its place as a true and significant partner in the Pacific. By means of increasing its presence in the area of people-to-people and business-to-business exchanges between the two countries. As well as the greater South Pacific (Blue Pacific Continent).

He raised these comments in his opening Statement at the US-PIC Dialogue, chaired by US President, Joe Biden, at the Whitehouse in Washington.

“We are here today to measure how much we have progressed since our inaugural summit in September last year. Papua New Guinea comes to this Summit in 2023 from a much-improved relationship with the United States but that is mostly from the Security perspective, which we must step up on all other fronts,” said Marape.

He said in 2022, PNG’s trade volume with the USA did not exceed $300million.

“As PNG is closer and has more access to the Asian market, we know that the depth of any nation-to-nation relationship is usually anchored and balanced when there is more commerce and trade relationships,” Marape said.

US-PIC
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International

Marape Accepts Invite to COP28

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COP28

Prime Minister James Marape has accepted an Invitation to attend the Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai.

The invitation given by United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi signifies the support in addressing climate change effects in the Pacific Region.

Suwaidi heads a unique position in the United Aarab Emirates Government and he’s accredited to Papua New Guinea from Singapore.

Marape outlined his intention to lead a delegation to Dubai for COP28, accompanied by the Ministers for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, International Trade and Investment, and Forestry.

In the forestry sector, Marape aims to establish an arrangement for direct trade of timber products to the UAE market.

Marape pledged to amplify advocating for compensation for Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member countries affected by global warming and emphasized the need to safeguard oceans and marine ecosystems.

Marape said, his initial hesitation to attend the conference was rooted in concerns expressed at the One Forest Summit in Gabon earlier this year.

The World Leader’s Summit will be held in Dubai on December 1st to 2nd.

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Environment

Sponsor an Ocean! Niue’s plan to protect its slice of the Pacific

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Sponsor and Ocean - Niue


PHOTO FILE: A tail of a humpback whale breaks the water in Niue in this 2018 photo. (Richard Sidey/Galaxiid via AP)

By NICK PERRY (Associated Press)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with a novel plan to protect its vast and pristine territorial waters — it will get sponsors to pay.

Under the plan, which was being launched by Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi on Tuesday in New York, individuals or companies can pay $148 to protect 1 square kilometer (about 250 acres) of ocean from threats such as illegal fishing and plastic waste for a period of 20 years.

Niue hopes to raise more than $18 million from the scheme by selling 127,000 square-kilometer units, representing the 40% of its waters that form a no-take marine protected area.

In an interview, Tagelagi said his people have always had a close connection with the sea.

“Niue is just one island in the middle of the big blue ocean,” Tagelagi said. “We are surrounded by the ocean, and we live off the ocean. That’s our livelihood.”

He said Niueans inherited and learned about the ocean from their forefathers and they want to be able to pass it on to the next generation in sustainable health.

Most fishing in Niue is to sustain local people, although there are some small-scale commercial operations and occasional offshore industrial-scale fishing, according to the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“Because of all the illegal fishing and all the other activities at the moment, we thought that we should be taking the lead, to teach others that we’ve got to protect the ocean,” Tagelagi said.

Unregulated fishing can deplete fish stocks, which then cannot replenish, while plastics can be ingested by or entangle marine wildlife. Human-caused climate change has also led to warmer and more acidic oceans, altering ecosystems for underwater species.

Niue is also especially vulnerable to rising sea levels threatening its land and freshwater, and the island is at risk of more intense tropical storms charged by warmer air and waters.

With a population of just 1,700 people, Niue acknowledges it needs outside help. It’s one of the smallest countries in the world, dwarfed by an ocean territory 1,200 times larger than its land mass.

Under the plan, the sponsorship money — called Ocean Conservation Commitments — will be administered by a charitable trust.

Niue will buy 1,700 sponsorship units, representing one for each of its citizens. Other launch donors include philanthropist Lyna Lam and her husband Chris Larsen, who co-founded blockchain company Ripple, and U.S.-based nonprofit Conservation International, which helped set up some technical aspects of the scheme.

Maël Imirizaldu, marine biologist and regional leader with Conservation International, said one problem with the conventional approach to ocean conservation funding was the need for places like Niue to constantly seek new funding on a project by project basis.

“The main idea was to try and switch that, to change the priority and actually help them have funding so they can plan for the next 10 years, 15 years, 20 years,” Imirizaldu said.

Simon Thrush, a professor of marine science at New Zealand’s University of Auckland who was not involved in the plan, said it sounded positive.

“It’s a good idea,” Thrush said, adding that as long as the plan was thoroughly vetted and guaranteed over the long term, “I’d be up for it.”

All contents © copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved

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International

Marape Clears Statement

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West Papua

Prime Minister, James Marape says he wants to set the record straight on his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo regarding the West Papua Issue.

Marape claims an earlier statement regarding PNG’s position to abstain from supporting West Papua United Liberation Movement (WPULM) for a full fleged membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was released without consent.

In an effort to rectify the misinformation and alleviate concerns raised within the MSG, Marape released another statement to address the inaccuracies.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape

“An earlier statement released without consent wrongfully said that at the recently-concluded MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila, Vanuatu, I informed leaders of PNG’s abstaining from supporting the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) bid for full membership, plus a notation that human rights issues in West Papua are of no concern to PNG. I wish to clarify these misconstrued assertions.” said Marape.

Marape corrects that, “Papua New Guinea never abstained from West Papua matters at the MSG meeting, but rather, offered solutions that affirmed,” said Marape.

Marape made these comments during the bilateral meeting with President Widodo in Jakarta and stressed the respect PNG government has towards Indonesia’s sovereignty, territorial rights but Human Rights is a different issue.

“When matters concerning ULMWP’s application for membership was raised, I indicated that the presence of Indonesia on MSG as an Associate Member and ULMWP as observer is sufficient for the moment. MSG has placed a moratorium on new membership until the criteria for membership is reviewed,” Marape said

Marape said President Widodo has assured him that all is okay in the two Papuan provinces and invited senior government members to visit it’s Papua Province..”

West Papua
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International

MSG Secretariat Condemns Japan’s Discharge of ALPS Water

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Japan has started the releasing of treated nuclear waste water (ALPS) into the Pacific Ocean as of 24th August, sparking different reactions from Asian and Pacific Island Countries.

Scientists including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have backed Japan’s plan to release treated nuclear water but China anounced it will not be importing Japanese sea food.

In the Pacific, Secretariat of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) said the health of the Pacific Ocean determines the survival of Pacific Islanders.

MSG Laumo ALPS Water
MSG, Director General, Leonard Louma

A statement released by MSG, Director General, Leonard Louma, states that the best proof that ALPS (treated water from Fukushima) is safe, is to discharge it into Japan’s own internal waterways and that no amount of justification, scientific or otherwise, will suffice.

“We in the Pacific are too well aware of the fallacy of the safety of nuclear activities, “said Louma.

The treated nuclear waste from Fukushima Nuclear Plant will be released into the Pacific Ocean over the next 30 years after the UN Nuclear watchdog approved the plan by the Japanese Government.

The discharge is seen as a key step in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant after it was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011.

The plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) began releasing treated nuclear water at in August through an underground tunnel.

Back home, Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister James Marape had commented that it’s best the treated water is released in a controlled manner.

James Marape ALPS water
PNG Prime Minister James Marape

“For us in the Pacific our position has always been the same, a Nuclear free Pacific. But I also note that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been working with the government of Japan to rigorously review the safety for waste water for release,” said Marape.

However MSG is of the view that, after reading the IAEA Assessment Report before the discharge, had given no comfort at all.

“The “qualified” words and “diplomatic” construction of language used in the Assessment Report suggests to us that even the IAEA is not sure of the safety of the discharge of the ALPS water into the Pacific Ocean,” said Louma.

Louma is concerned on how would one interprets the use of “consistent with” safety standards, the effects will be “negligible”, and “additional review” or checks will be done again when discharge takes place.

“So please forgive us if we are sceptical of this safety narrative that you have gone overdrive to have us believe that the ALPS water is safe. Excuse us if we appear naïve when we say science can be wrong. Our experience tells us to be cautious,” Louma added.

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International

PNG Opens Embassy in Jerusalem

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Israeli Embassy

Papua New Guinea opened it’s newest embassy in Jerusalem on Tuesday this week, becoming the first Pacific Island Country to do so.

This move makes PNG the fourth nation in the world to open a fully-fledged diplomatic mission in the Israeli capital.

“I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Government for facilitating the establishment of the PNG Resident Embassy in Jerusalem as it will ensure smooth and practical flow of our relations to support our socio-economic development,” said Marape.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu together unveil the plaque.

However back home, PNG Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang says Jerusalem is a disputed territory between Palestine and Israel and opening an embassy in a disputed area may not be a wise move.

” While the Government of the day has the authority to open our foreign mission there. There is a reason why the rest of the world have decided not to move their embassies from Tel Avi to Jerusalem,” said Lelang.

However the PNG Government said its decision to open an Embassy is a sovereign decision based on Papua New Guinea’s Christian principles and worldview that emanate from Israel’s Judaism religion which emphasizes respect, empathy, tolerance and acceptance for humankind.

“Papua New Guinea chose to join United States, Kosovo, Guatamala and Honduras in opening its Embassy in Jerusalem in acknowledgement of our Judeo-Christian worldview that Jerusalem is historically the headquarter of the nation and the people of Israel,” said Marape.

Marape added that Israel is no ordinary nation. From the Judeo-Christian worldview, it is the foundation nation in giving to the world many of the moral principles that we carry as Christians today.

“The value of Christianity is immeasurable. Character of nations are built by values and moral principles, and Christianity – which is deeply embedded in Israel’s faith of Judaism – gives to us our values and moral principles. Papua New Guinea finds its Christian heritage in this country, Israel; as we uphold these values and continue to believe in the God of Israel,” said Marape

The PNG Government will now be identifying a suitable land in Port Moresby for the establishment of a Israeli Embassy.

Related: https://insidepng.com/israeli-businesses-offered-land/

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Business

Israeli Businesses Offered Land

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Israeli Business

Prime Minister James Marape has offered land in a special economic zone in Papua New Guinea for interested Israeli businesses.

Marape extended the invitation to Israel Manufacturers Association to engage in business opportunities in PNG, hours after touching down in Tel Aviv on Monday.

“I would like to offer you land. As you give us land for our Embassy here, we would like to offer you land, not just for your mission in Port Moresby, but a big piece of land for a Special Economic Zone for Israeli businesses to take residence in our country to do business, to mount your satellite, and do business,” said Marape.

The Prime Minister flew to Israel to open PNG’s newest Embassy in Jerusalem.

While there, Marape spoke strongly about PNG’s resources in the oil, gas and mining space and sustainable resources in Forestry, Agriculture, and Fisheries.

“We have natural resources in oil and gas, and in our forestry, fisheries and agriculture. We have more than enough land for you to come in and start your businesses, and I am willing to give you tax-free incentives,”said Marape.

He said with PNG’s geographical location in relation to Asia and its thriving markets, Israeli businesses would do well for themselves to invest in Papua New Guinea.

“We are closest to the Asian markets. We are linked to many Asian countries at a government-to-government level. That is the competitive advantage we have over many other countries,” said Marape.

“Together, we can produce, label these as Israel-PNG produce, and export to the world. PNG is close to the Asian market than you are from Israel,” said Marape.

Israel’s main export commodity item has been High Technology Industries offering solutions to improve business, trade and investment, health, agriculture and education .

Senior Advisor on International Relations at the Manufacturers Association of Israel and President of the Federation of Binational Chambers of Commerce, Dan Catarivas said Israeli’s economic has advanced in the last 75 years.

In terms of business establishments in Papua New Guinea, Israel has invested in the Innovation Agriculture and Farming businesses in Port Moresby, East Sepik and the Highlands Region.

With these established businesses, Marape says PNG could partner with Israel to improve how business is managed and operated..

The delegation that accompanied Prime Minister Marape include State Ministers and senior government officials.

Israeli Business
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International

Discussions begin at the 2023 Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit

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Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit

Vanuatu Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau, official opened the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group, Leaders Summit in Port Vila.

Environment and Climate Change, security issues, and trade agreements were top on the agendas discussed ON Wednesday (August 23).

In attendance were Pacific leaders from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Fiji, French territory of New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.

The welcome ceremony held at the Vanuatu Convention Centre started with a plenary session and each Pacific Island Leader was given the opportunity to make their statements.

PNG Prime Minister, James Marape in his remarks outlined PNG’s stand on Climate Change Mitigation and called on industrialized nations to make real interventions to assist Pacific Countries facing effects of Climate Change.

“I call on China, the United States and Australia to make real interventions to the Small Island States in the Pacific,” said Marape.

Marape conveyed Papua New Guinea’s support of Vanuatu’s move to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the impacts of Climate Change on the people of the Pacific.

Prime Minister James Marape at the MSG Summit

“I want to offer our support to Vanuatu’s leadership on the initiative to seek an advisory opinion on the International Court of Justice on matters of Climate Change through the United Nations through international law to protect the rights of future generations that are adversely affected. That is correct leadership and I commend Vanuatu,” said Marape.

Marape said Pacific Leaders must continue to represent views within the context of Melanesia and the Pacific.

“We all have interest in dealing with environmental issues, with Climate Change being big among us. We have development challenges; our need to ensure that genuine investors are not here just for today’s need but more importantly for the sustenance of our children after us. These challenges remain our collective voice, if we want to be heard today,” Marape told the MSG member countries.

A Leaders’ Retreat will end the summit for the leaders with an Outcomes Declaration signed on Thursday (August 24).

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International

FRANCE PRESIDENT VISIT

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Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and France President Emmanuel Macron

The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron arrived in PNG on his official state visit, last Thursday. In his visit, France President Macron engaged in various high-level discussions with government officials and Prime Minister James Marape.

The dialogues focused on the areas of Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Economic Co-operation, among others.

Following the Bilateral meetings, several agreements aimed at strengthening partnership and cooperation between the two nations were signed.

The first document signed between the two nations was a declaration of intent to upgrade of PNG Ports Infrastructure.

The agreement will ensure the PNG Ports infrastructures are upgraded with respect to climate change.

The second document signed will foster cooperation with respect to greening financial systems in PNG ensuring resilience to climate related risks as well as channelling finance for conservation and adaptation to climate change.

The agreement was signed between the French Development Agency, The Bank of PNG and Global Green growth Institute.

“That is clearly a demonstration of the French government and people and their continuous support to the Pacific, and more importantly to Papua New Guinea, a country that hosts the third biggest rainforest on planet Earth,” Prime Minister James Marape said.

The third document was a financing agreement between the two nations to mobilize French funding and expertise on energy transition to support renewable energy integration in PNG Power electric systems.

The Partnership amounts to over K3 million.

The fourth agreement was signed between the European Union Delegation to PNG and Expertise France for the implementation of European Union’s Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity nexus support program for PNG.

France President Macron concluded his engagements, by showing his support for the Managalas Project.

The Managalas Conservation Project covers over 360,000 hectares of Virgin rainforest.

The project is an initiative of the Managalas People to preserve their natural environment.

“It is a reflection of France and European Union commitment to biodiversity in our country,” Marape said.

The France President in his visit further thanked the European Union for their contribution to the Managalas Project.

He also spoke of the importance of preserving the world’s biodiversity, saying it is an equal partnership.

“I speak in my interest as well, and the interest of French people. Because if you kill your forests, then we will kill everything, so it is my issue as well.”

Related: https://insidepng.com/environment-conservation-and-land-management/ https://insidepng.com/capacity-building-for-environment-conservation/

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Sport

Women’s World Cup Guide: How to watch, schedule and betting favorites

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PHOTO FILE – Team USA celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against the Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, July 7, 2019. The United States will be playing for an unprecedented three-peat at the Women’s World Cup this summer. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

The United States will be playing for an unprecedented three-peat at this year’s Women’s World Cup. It won’t be easy for the No. 1 team in the world.

Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the quadrennial tournament for international soccer’s most coveted trophy kicks off July 20 and features an expanded field of 32 teams, up from 24. There are 64 matches during the tournament.

That means more competition for the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S., which won the 2015 event in Canada and the 2019 tournament in France. The Americans have won four titles overall, most of any nation.

Asked whether he would accept anything less than lifting the World Cup trophy, U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski was incredulous.

“Absolutely not,” he said. “There’s only one thing in mind going to this tournament. Our goal is to win the World Cup. There’s no question about it.”

WHAT’S THE WORLD CUP SCHEDULE AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four teams each. Each team plays a three-game, round-robin group stage, running from July 20 to Aug. 3.

The top finishers advance to the round of 16 from Aug. 5-8. The quarterfinals are set for Aug. 11-12 and the two semifinal matches will be played Aug. 15-16. A third-place game is set for Aug. 19 in Brisbane ahead of the final in Sydney.

The final will air at 6 a.m. ET on Aug. 20 in the United States.

The broadcast schedule is complicated by the time difference. The United States is playing in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal. The opening match is against Vietnam on July 22 in Auckland, which, because of the time difference, will air in the U.S. on July 21 at 9 p.m. ET.

A rematch of the 2019 final against the Netherlands is set for July 27 in Wellington, airing at 9 p.m. ET on July 26 in the U.S. The last group game against Portugal is set for Aug. 1, airing at 3 a.m. ET that same day.

HOW TO WATCH THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Fox holds the English-language media rights in the United States for the Women’s World Cup. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights.

Fox will broadcast a record 29 matches over the air on its main network and the rest of the games will be aired on FS1. All matches will be streamed on the Fox app.

FIFA struck a collective deal with the European Broadcasting Union in mid-June, ending a standoff with a broadcasters in five major European television markets. The deal guarantees the games will air in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
There are two distinct groups of players to watch at this World Cup: Veteran superstars and talented youngsters.

Canada’s Christine Sinclair leads a group of veterans that includes Brazil’s Marta, Australia’s Sam Kerr, France’s Wendie Renard and American Alex Morgan.

Sinclair, who is 40 and likely playing in her final World Cup, is international soccer’s all-time leading scorer, among women or men, with 190 career goals.

Young stars include 22-year-old U.S. forward Sophia Smith, 21-year-old Jody Brown of Jamaica and 19-year-old Melchie Dumornay of Haiti.

Smith doubled up last year as both the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player.

TEAMS TO WATCH
The United States is ranked No. 1 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings. The Americans are a strong team despite recent injuries, but their dominance in international play will be challenged at this World Cup.

Germany, ranked No. 2, won back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Third-ranked Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals. Seventh-ranked Canada won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games.

Considered a contender, England has been hit by a series of injuries to top players including Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and captain Leah Williamson. All three will miss the World Cup. France switched coaches in March after some players threatened to skip the tournament.

Australia can’t be counted out as co-hosts. The Matildas will be boosted by Kerr, one of the world’s best players.

BETTING GUIDE
The United States is a +240 favorite to win the World Cup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. England is next at +380, followed by Spain at +650.

There’s also a big group of teams the oddsmakers say have little chance of lifting the trophy, including Jamaica, Vietnam, Argentina, Zambia, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Morocco, Philippines, South Africa, Haiti and Panama. All are at +43,000.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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