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30 August 2023
Social and Environmental Standards Validation Workshop in Kokopo, East New Britain Province
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Press Release
30 August 2023
Signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028
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Press Release
19 August 2023
Mt. Bagana (AROB) on World Humanitarian Day - UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Richard Howard
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Papua New Guinea
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Papua New Guinea:
Story
02 March 2022
Empowering communities to improve livelihood and promote peace
Hoiebia Village acts as a sanctuary for communities affected by conflict in the Hela Province. Councillor Maureen opened her home to her community and those displaced by conflict back in 2013 when she first became the councillor.
She first started backyard farming because she observed that the community planted only sweet potato and were not exposed to growing other garden foods such as potato, carrots, cabbage and broccoli.
“I lived for 30 years in Mt Hagen, and I saw they planted a lot of variety of vegetables. I wanted to do something similar in my village, so I came back, and mobilized mothers and youths and we started our backyard farming. This was in 2013. We started changing the practice of planting sweet potato mounts to creating plots for different vegetables,” she said.
Her backyard plots have now become a multiplication site and she is supplying seeds, providing training in farming, sewing and horticulture to both the host and displaced communities in Hoiebia. Her ambition is to supply the whole of Hela Province with seeds from her multiplication site and ultimately improving farming practices.
Councillor Maureen said that they initially lacked the skills and knowledge, but persevered. The perseverance paid off when their first partner, the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) stepped in to assist with basic agriculture training.
Fast forward to 2022, other partners have come on board to assist the community. The United Nations in Papua New Guinea, through its agencies FAO, IOM, and UN Women are supporting Councillor Maureen to help her community.
“I saw that a lot of mothers, their husbands had left them, and they struggled with their children to put food on the table and pay school fees. I’m also a single parent who struggled to put my six children through school. This has motivated us, and we are all working towards a better livelihood for us and our children,” she said.
Councillor Maureen said the UN have given her community a lot of training.
“IOM provided us with a water catchment, FAO trained us on how to plant sweet potato, potato, wheat and rice, UN Women provided baking training and GBV training, Peace training. The National Agriculture Research Institute have also provided farming and animal husbandry. When these trainings came, I noticed that there is change in the community,” she said.
“When we empower women and youth in the community with life skills, there will be peace.” Councillor Maureen aims to build a training center for her community. In 2021, with consent from her community, she invested a ward development grant of K15,000 to co-finance the establishment of a UN-supported community resilience resource centre. This centre will also be equipped with water catchment and storage capacity with the community in Hoiebia having free access to clean water.
On the change she would like to see in four to five years, Councillor Maureen declared, “I would like to see farming practices in Hela change, women and children to be healthy and to have good clothes. Children to go to school.”
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20 March 2022
Provincial GBV Focal Points Leading Community-level Implementation of National GBV Strategy
“Everyone in the Highlands region, they grew up in that kind of environment. I say it's in the DNA.” continues Robin Yakumb.
Robin is the interim GBV Focal Point for Western Highlands Province, one of several individuals around the country appointed to connect families and individuals to government services and legal protections that assist women and children experiencing violence.
In Jiwaka, GBV Focal Point Mary Tol highlighted that local resource constraints have led to perpetrators being set free. “Sometimes the murderers of women and girls are being set free because the police say that there's insufficient evidence to bring them to court.”
These perpetrators are then free to reoffend, leaving women and children vulnerable and communities hesitant to report violence.
On paper, the right of women and children to live free from violence is assured in Papua New Guinea, with protections outlined in the Family Protection Act and Lukautim Pikinini Act, in addition to the Criminal Code. In practice, however, the country has one of highest rates of violence against women and girls in the region.
A persistent challenge for policy-makers and advocates working to end violence against women and girls in Papua New Guinea is ensuring that protections and services established at the national level are available at the village level; that individuals are reporting cases of violence to police, that police have the resources to respond and the appropriate documentation to present to the court, and that village court magistrates apply the law appropriately and do not permit negotiations for compensation.
The National GBV Strategy was launched in 2016 and is a blue print to guide the work of all agencies across the national government, as well as provincial government bodies, civil society organisations and development partners. The National GBV Strategy is underpinned by the understanding that addressing GBV will require strong leadership, a holistic and coordinated approach supported by ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and research.
Responsible for implementing this strategy is the National GBV Secretariat (NGBVS) which, through lack of funding, has faced significant roadblocks. The NGBVS has an interim Director and is not fully staffed.
The Spotlight Initiative, launched in 2020, aims to address the challenges in putting the National GBV Strategy into practice, and key to this is operationalising the National GBV Secretariat.
In Eastern Highlands Province (EHP), Siviri Lalave has been appointed as the provincial GBV Focal Point. She was also a member of the province’s Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee.
“That committee has been like a meeting on ad hoc basis up until 2021 when National Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence was set up,” said Siviri. “That's the time that the provincial government has seen the importance of having those committees in the provinces set up in addressing this issue.”
“When the government supports, we will see that it will help deliver the services that the people need and women and children, and those who are affected by gender-based violence, get the justice that they need.”
Provincial GBV Focal Points are now developing strategies and plans to address local gaps in institutional capacity to prevent and respond to violence against women and children.
“I'd like to see bringing in all the districts together to come up with their own district strategies,” said Robin. “We need these plans as to how we can address these issues at the district level or the community level.”
“I want funding to be very consistent over five years to ten years,” says Mary. “We don't need a strategy that sits at the corner and collects dust.”
The Spotlight Initiative has supported the appointment of provincial GBV focal points as part of activities to operationalise the National GBV Strategy. Support has also included the development of a National GBV Secretariat website to keep provincial contacts and the general public updated on activities and materials.
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18 March 2022
Milne Bay Provincial Disaster Risk Management Strategy and Standard Operating Procedure Launched Through IOM, USAID Support
The Provincial DRM Strategy and SOP for Milne Bay received technical inputs from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and funding assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance in its development.
This DRM Strategy and SOP is a living document that promotes the localization of the Sendai Framework (2015-2030) principles, contributing to strengthening resilience and reducing disaster losses. It defines the roles and responsibilities of the provincial government and its stakeholders in preparing for, and responding to disasters, including implementing recovery actions following a disaster.
“It is great news for Milne Bay to have its Provincial DRM strategy and SOP to better coordinate disaster risk reduction interventions and emergency response,” said Milne Bay’s Provincial Administrator, Ashan Numa in his remarks at the launch. He highlighted that there had been lack of coordination in DRM matters in the past and launching the DRM Strategy and SOP will improve coordination in in the province.
“The DRM SOP is a guide to help us better respond to emergencies and disaster with the support of our partners, and also provides a leverage to the Milne Bay Integrated Provincial Development Plan,” noted Steven Tobessa, Milne Bay Provincial Disaster Coordinator.
The launch was attended by various stakeholders including Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society, National Airports Corporation, and the National Broadcasting Corporation.
IOM in partnership with the National Disaster Center, continues to support provincial governments to strengthen capacities in DRM, through the Provincial Disaster Centres.
IOM recognizes inadequate funding and insufficient human capacity as a challenge during the implementation, and it remains committed and pro-active to supporting the province in risk management and disaster response.
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20 March 2022
Community Outreach Combats Violence Against Children in Western Highlands Province
Many children in Western Highlands province face multiple forms of violence. In addition to family violence, children are directly and indirectly affected by sorcery accusation related violence.
“When the parents are accused of sorcery, those children are affected very badly because they believe these things they’re told about their parents,” explained Issac Keru from the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen child protection team. “There’s almost no hope for children when their parents are accused.”
Issac also noted the rise in kidnapping and ransom of children in the province. “They get these kids and then later they expect some payment and then the kids will be returned,” he said.
The Archdiocese utilises networks of parishes and schools to raise awareness of violence against children and provides a safe house that provides temporary accommodation to children in need. Issac shared that prevention remains the most important part of the team’s work.
“We have child protection officers and a total of 27 parishes within Western Highlands and Jiwaka where we can offer parenting programs and family programs,” said Issac. “I see the parenting program is important because we have to address childhood development early. When they reach middle age we can’t really do anything because they are grown up and it is difficult for them to change.”
The programs include workshops and community outreach and Issac has noted that demand is high. “From interviews we’ve done with parents, they say that they regret this program didn’t come about earlier.” This same sentiment has been shared by facilitators from the Highlands Youth Rehabilitation and Training College in Banz, Jiwaka Province, which is also implementing a positive parenting program that engages parents in Jiwaka and Simbu.
“Through the Spotlight Initiative the parenting program has reached many parish communities and we’ve seen they go back to their communities and villages and make changes,” said Issac. “I think with the support of Spotlight Initiative, we can reach many more.”
Through the parenting program, the Archdiocese is also promoting other services and programs that seek to address the issue of violence, including counselling and family violence programs.
The Archdiocese of Mt Hagen is supported by the Spotlight Initiative to provide community outreach programs to end violence against children.
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09 April 2021
UN Agencies Continue Support to COVID Prevention and Control Across PNG
UN support to the COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea has been led by WHO and UNICEF, who are assisting the PNG Government in emergency and humanitarian coordination, clinical management and procurement, risk communications and community engagement, protection and secondary impacts, and socio-economic impact and recovery.
In 2021 we will be welcoming the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines and work with our partners to set a path for recovery, including socio-economic assessments and support to the hardest hit populations.
The weekly COVID-19 National situation report, jointly published by NDOH and WHO, details the scope of the pandemic in PNG and the national response effort. More information on UN assistance provided in 2020 is available at papuanewguinea.un.org.
Here is a look at what we've been doing around the country in March.
Kiunga, Western Province
IOM Installs Handwash Stations at Kiunga Airport, Improves Toilet Facilities in Western Province
IOM completed a comprehensive rehabilitation of the toilet facilities at Kiunga Airport, creating a safer environment for travelers. The team installed a handwash station on entry.
The team installed latrines in several locations including schools, health facilities and local communities, benefitting at least 8,949 people. Installations of solar panels and accessories across several communities has improved lighting of common areas around latrines. This additional light improves the safety especially of women and girls when accessing the facilities at night. IOM estimates this initiative will improve the safety of over 30,000 people in Western Province.
UNFPA Delivers PPE to Kiunga Hospital, Customised Dignity Kits
With the given surge of covid 19 cases, UNFPA supplied various essential PPE to Kiunga Hospital, Western Province and Port Moresby General Hospital. These include 500 reusable face shields, 500 long sleeve gowns, 15,000 examination gloves, 2000 surgical gloves, 30,000 disposal facemask, 300 protective goggles and 44 thermometers. UNFPA locally procured 600 customised Dignity Kits enroute to Kiunga, Western Province.
IOM Provides WASH Supplies to Communities and Defence Personnel in Western Province
IOM distributed soap and water containers to 1,203 people in Western Province, with additional wheelie bins (25), dust bins (14), hand gloves (24) and rubber boots (24). The team supplied collapsible water containers, tents and sleeping bags to the PNG Defence Force Forward Operating Base in Kiunga that is responsible for monitoring points of entry along PNG’s Western Border.
Tari, Hela Province
UNFPA Supports Emergency Response, Provides PPE and Dignity Kits
UNFPA procured and distributed 400 Dignity Kits to displaced women and girls that were affected by the inter-clan violence in Tari Pori District. UNFPA procured 800 PPE to support the participants of a Gender Based Violence in Emergency training and staff at Tari Hospital.
Through the emergency response projects, UNFPA, in partnership with PNG Family Health Association and Hela Provincial Health Authority, established sexual and reproductive health mobile clinics at four sites in Tari, Hela Province to support and provide services to internally displaced women and girls as well as the host community who cannot access the main hospital freely due to ongoing insecurity. Currently the team is conducting training on Minimum Initial Service Package in Tari to 9 males and 8 females with plans to conduct Clinical Management of Rape Training in April. Providing PPE ensures these essential services can remain open and operate safely.
“On a daily basis, we check if the IDP [Internally Displaced People] have any sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), rape cases, pregnant mothers or injuries," sais Sister Mae Lohis, team leader of one of PNG Family Health Association's mobile clinics in Tari. "We are providing the necessary care that they should receive during this time of crisis, including awareness raising on safe sex, family planning, and teenage pregnancies.”
Support to People Living with HIV
UNAIDS works with COVID19-HIV Crisis Group on Support to PLHIV
Together with the COVID19-HIV Crisis Group, including WHO, NDoH, World Vision, USAID, and FHI360, UNAIDS is ensuring services for PLHIV continue to operate during the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The team is also working on messaging surrounding the vaccine for PLHIV and key populations.
With high level of COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy and misconceptions among PLHIV and key populations, UNAIDS have developed a short vaccine acceptability survey deployed by the KP consortium in late March. From the results, the current FAQs will be revised and targeted for this population.
Support to Emergency Services
UNDP Procures Additional Ambulances, Delivers Training to Frontline Medics
UNDP is partnering with the national ambulance service, St John’s Ambulance, to upgrade of a number of ambulances across the country with support from the Government of India. Progress the procurement of new ambulances which will be greatly strengthen the capacity of Papua New Guinea’s health system to respond to COVID’s impacts. A funding agreement with
UNDP has also supported training of frontline medics and the procurement of additional medical equipment to support an expansion of services. This will also contribute to broader strengthening of the health system.
UN agencies have secured funding from Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, United States and the World Bank. Additional support was provided through the UN Secretary General’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund for COVID-19 which ensures UN activities can reach the most at-risk populations during this pandemic. The UN is also engaging with donors to re-programme funding where relevant.
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31 August 2023
Social and Environmental Standards Validation Workshop in Kokopo, East New Britain Province
The Workshop is currently underway for the GEF7 FOLUR Project in Kokopo, East New Britain (ENB) Province from the 28th of August to the 02nd of September 2023.
Between March and April this year, project data collectors which consisted of UNDP and provincial Administration staff travelled to Inland Baining and in Central Pomio LLGs visiting communities and introducing them to the GEF7 FOLUR Project through a stakeholder engagement process.
During these visits, valuable social and environmental information were collected and developed into a Social and Environmental Management Plan, an Indigenous People’s Plan and a Gender Action Plan.
These are important documents that UNDP and its Implementation Partner, CEPA, will utilize to ensure the natural environment and the rights of the communities are protected appropriately during project implementation.
The purpose of the workshop this week is to validate the information collected and allow community representatives and government officials to provide critical feedbacks that will guide the GEF7 FOLUR Project moving forward.
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27 April 2023
Invest in Girls in ICT
The United Nations believes women and girls who are given career opportunities in the digital information, communications and technology industry (ICT) can make significant contributions to the workplace.
ICT is revolutionizing the human experience and transforming lives around the world, yet many women in developing countries often find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide simply because of their gender.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, Richard Howard, said it is time for employers to close the digital divide which too often is propped up by gender inequality.
“Businesses that recruit women and give them the skills to use IT programs and data storage technologies, will be tapping into a whole new productive resource.” Mr. Howard said.
Mr. Howard said he understood that many women and girls in rural provinces do not have access to computers or the internet and that access to such technology can serve as a basis for challenging gender norms which tend to hold women and girls back.
International Girls Day is a great opportunity to challenge us to find ways to leverage technology to improve the lives of women and girls at every stage of the life course.
END
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10 November 2022
Communities Affected by Conflict Pledge to Promote Peace
Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to work with local authorities in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces to empower women and youth, establish the resilience of local communities at risk of displacement from human-induced and natural hazards and sustain peace in the areas.
With the financial support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, IOM is empowering local communities, including women and youth from Mapata, Pira (Southern Highlands), Tenggo, Idawi, and Papeli (Hela), to nurture and implement community peace and development plans (CPDPs). As part of its interventions, IOM enhanced the peacebuilding knowledge and skills of 44 women, men, and youth from the target communities. Local authorities in Southern Highlands province were also equipped with the knowledge to sustain peace and promote community-driven development through training on inclusive peacebuilding and development planning.
Held in Mt. Hagen town, the training brought together community members from Mapata and Pira, as well as officials from Kagua-Erave district and Aiya local level government in Southern Highlands province.
The training covered various topics, including the root causes and negative consequences of conflict, the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding and sustainable development, and risk reduction measures that could help contribute to building community resilience.
“We need more of this kind of training for our community members. The knowledge we received through this training will help reduce violence in the communities,” said pastor Francis Benny, CPDP training participant. Pastor Benny noted that more people, especially youth, should be targeted with the training that helps promote peace.
Participants upskilled by IOM on peacebuilding and development will co-facilitate the 5-day community planning sessions with IOM and jointly draft the CPDPs. Also, they are expected to provide the capacity building training for members of their communities, including women and youth, on peacebuilding and development planning with knowledge they acquired from the training.
Two conflicted groups, including their leaders, known as ‘warlords,’ also participated in the training, agreeing to peacefully resolve their differences and work collectively towards the improvement of their community to sustain peace.
“We have been fighting, and we all know that this is not good. From now onwards, let us go back and work together. Caring for one another is what our culture promotes,” said Mary Wapi, a local community member.
“We do not want to fight anymore. You will remember that we committed ourselves to reconciliation at the time IOM visited our community,” noted a community leader and CPDP training participant, Robert Tawe. “We will work together and develop our plan. This is our commitment to promoting peace.”
Implemented under the “Preventing Climate-Induced Conflicts Through Empowered Women Leadership” project, the interventions by IOM include delivering training for inclusive community facilitation teams, co-facilitating with trained community members community-level planning sessions to draft the CPDPs, and implementing the drafted plans.
The Preventing Climate-Induced Conflicts Through Empowered Women Leadership project is part of the United Nations Highlands Joint Programme.
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SDGs: 5, 10, 16
For further information, please contact at IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int
For further information, please contact at IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int
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03 November 2022
Displaced Families Welcome Food Aid from IOM and USAID
Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to assess and assist communities displaced as a result of election-related violence in the Highlands region.
As part of the response, IOM delivered emergency shelter kits and non-food items to 615 households (3,921 people) in Mendi-Munhiu and Nipa districts in Southern Highlands province. IOM has also started distributing food rations to address the food insecurity situation facing the displaced communities.
With financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), IOM has distributed food rations to 250 households (1,350 people) that were displaced from Tupiri and Old Compound communities, to neighbouring villages in Mendi town. IOM is targeting an additional 750 displaced households (approximately 3,975 people) with the food rations.
The displacement tracking assessment conducted by IOM, local authorities, and partners identified 1,977 persons that were displaced from Old Compound and Tupiri communities by the conflict that happened in Mendi town in August 2022 and are yet to return to their homes.
IOM worked closely with the leadership from the displacement-affected communities and Southern Highlands Provincial Administration to identify the most vulnerable population such as persons living with disabilities, old persons, and women heads of household, to target with food aid.
“This assistance is a huge relief to us. We needed help, especially the mothers and children because they are affected the most by the fighting,” said Luke Welin, a community member from Old Compound.
The distribution of food rations by IOM took place in Mendi town, and the food rations kit comprises of rice, cooking oil, tinned fish, sugar, and iodized salt that would last for up to two months.
In total, IOM distributed 30.5 tonnes of rice, 1,875 litres of cooking oil, 4.6 tonnes of tinned fish, 1.125 tonnes of sugar, and 0.375 tonnes of iodized salt.
With support from UNICEF and working in partnership with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, IOM will supply the target communities with nutrient supplements for children.
“Our properties and backyard food gardens were destroyed during the conflict, leaving many families with little, or no resources to fend for themselves,” said Joanne Epi, a church leader and women’s representative in Old Compound community. “You gave us cooking utensils and emergency shelter materials and have come back to give us food. Thank you, IOM and USAID,” added Joanne.
Funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund and USAID/BHA, IOM continues to work in partnership with local authorities to assess communities displaced by election related violence, including providing relief assistance in the form of shelter kits, food rations, and non-food items.
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For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int
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16 August 2022
United Nations remains committed to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea
On 16 August, the United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. Mr. Themba Arthur Kalua had a bilateral meeting with Mr Koney Samuel, Secretary of the Department of Planning and Monitoring (DNPM). During the meeting, Mr Kalua expressed the continued support of the United Nations to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea and discussed Papua New Guinea's Mid-Term Development Plan IV (MTDP-IV) and the next UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
The United Nations has embarked on the development of the next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Papua New Guinea and will do so in close consultation with the Government of Papua New Guinea. The UNSDCF is nationally owned, and anchored in national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda and the principles of the UN Charter.
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Press Release
31 August 2023
Signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/72/279sets the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF or the Cooperation Framework) as ‘the most important planning and implementation instrument for the UN Development System at country level’.
Under the current Cooperation Framework (UNDAF) 2018 – 2023, the United Nations delivered programs worth US$500 million over the past five years to advance peace, human development, prosperity and environmental sustainability. We are very grateful to the Government of PNG and our development partners for the collaboration and partnership.
The new generation Cooperation Framework 2024-2028 is a commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, focusing on the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is also a commitment of the UN agencies to deliver our programs in a much more coherent and integrated manner. The five strategic priorities of the Cooperation Framework 2024 – 2028 are:
Equality for Women and Girls;
Governance, Peace, and Social Cohesion;
Inclusive Human Development
Sustainable Economic Transformation, and
Environment and Climate Change.
The Cooperation Framework will support PNG in accelerating its SDGs achievement, as well as contribute to the achievement of PNG’s Vision 2050 and the MTDP IV.
“In addition to the 19 UN agencies that have signed the Cooperation Framework and will be responsible for its implementation, the UN will tap into the technical expertise and resources available across the UN system to deliver on our commitments”, said Mr Richard Howard, the UN Resident Coordinator.
Howard said, “We are looking forward to our continued partnership with the Government, development partners and all other stakeholders”.
Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Acting Secretary, Mr. Koney Samuel, acknowledged the more than 40 years of partnership with the UN and appreciate the UN’s responsiveness to emerging needs of PNG.
“We are happy with the Cooperation Framework outcomes that are well aligned with the MTDP IV strategic priorities”, said Mr. Samuel.
The Regional Director for the UN Development Coordination Office for the Asia Pacific Region, Mr. David MacLachlan, was in country for the occasion.
Mr. MacLachlan said, “This signing again marks a new chapter of the UN’s commitment for the next five (5) years”.
The signing of the UNSDCF was witnessed by the UN Country Team and the Media.
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Background on the UNSDCF development process
The 2024–2028 UNSDCF was developed through a collaborative process involving analysis, consultation, and strategic prioritization.
Using the Common Country Analysis, the United Nations analyzed the PNG context in terms of Governance and institutions, Economic transformation, financial landscape, Environment and climate change, social exclusion, and the Humanitarian-development-peace nexus to identify the development challenges facing the country as well as the opportunities for accelerating PNG's development trajectory.
From September to November of 2022, the United Nations met with several key populations, including youth, women, and internally displaced persons, as well as key organizations, including civil society organizations and the labour tripartite, to hear from these partners on the way forward, including the identification of the UN's work priorities in PNG.
We consulted with the government and development partners in February 2023 to articulate the strategic outcomes of the 2024-2028 Cooperation Framework.
Through this process, the United Nations has ensured that its work program in Papua New Guinea over the next five years is aligned with the MTDP IV and Vision 2050, so it remains a critical strategic development partner to the government and people of Papua New Guinea.
Contact Nicole Jeune on rcs-uninpng-office@un.org or Paul Semple on paul.semple@un.org for any further information.
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Press Release
19 August 2023
Mt. Bagana (AROB) on World Humanitarian Day - UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Richard Howard
World Humanitarian Day is an annual campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to commemorate anniversary of the attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed twenty-two (22) humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).
Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises. The day also reinforces the need for the safety and security of aid workers.
The focus this year is on the importance, effectiveness and positive impact of humanitarian work.
No matter the danger or the hardships, humanitarians venture deep into disaster-stricken regions and work at the front lines of conflict, while striving to protect people in need.
This year’s theme: #NoMatterWhat. Despite the work being difficult and dangerous, humanitarians accept the challenges with a commitment to overcome and deliver life-saving assistance to people in need.
Mr. Howard said, “It is imperative that the government invests in disaster management and disaster risk reduction to enable the national and provincial governments to adequately respond to a nationwide-scale emergency”.
Mr. Howard acknowledged the DMT Members, development partners; World Bank, DFAT, EU, Japan, MFAT, USAID, and the Red Cross Movement, World Vision, Caritas, PNG Council of Churches, ADRA, CARE, MAF, ChildFund, Equal Playing Field, MSF, Oxfam, Plan and Save the Children, for their continued humanitarian worked in Papua New Guinea.
ENDS
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Background
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is highly exposed to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. People across the country are particularly exposed to seasonal drought, flooding, and associated hazards such as landslides.
Most of the country’s population is exposed to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Biosecurity threats have also placed the nation’s food supply in jeopardy.
There are 94 active volcanoes in PNG, the most active being Manam; Kadovar; Lamington; Langila; Ulawun; Rabaul; and Bagana. The total population living within 30km of a volcano is estimated to be more than 1 million people or 17% of the population.
In light of the recent volcanic eruption of Mt Bagana in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), humanitarians are on the ground coordinating the delivery of relief supplies and ensuring no one is left behind.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in PNG, Mr. Richard Howard, acknowledges the hard work of the humanitarian workers attending to the Mt Bagana Eruption in AROB.
On 31 July, the National Disaster Centre (NDC) of Papua New Guinea formally welcomed international support through the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office to formally respond to Mt Bagana Volcano affected populations in Wakunai and Torokina districts.
Pursuant to this request, the UN through the Disaster Management Team (DMT) and the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), deployed a multi-agency team to conduct assessments of humanitarian impacts of the volcano and to advise development partners on basic needs and priorities of the affected populations. The team was deployed on 7 August and comprised of cluster experts in protection, water, and sanitation (WASH), information management, logistics and emergency operations coordination. The multi-agency team were further supported by shelter, camp coordination/camp management (CCCM) and food security officers from IOM and FAO who had presence on the ground.
UN’s Plan moving forward to address disasters
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) maintained a country office in PNG from 2009 until 2015. During that time, it established a Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) that remains in place as the Disaster Management Team (DMT), which is co-chaired by the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the Director of the National Disaster Centre, the country’s national disaster management agency, which currently sits under the Ministry of Defence.
The DMT includes among its members UN cluster lead agencies, international NGOs, faith-based organizations, the Red Cross Movement, and key development partners.
Since 2016, the DMT, at the request of the national government, has mobilised international resources for at least one disaster or crisis each year. Beginning with El Niño-related drought and food insecurity in 2016; Kadovar volcanic eruption displacement in 2018; Highlands earthquake displacement and polio outbreak in 2018; early action planning for El Niño-related drought, Ulawun volcanic eruption displacement and a small refugee emergency in 2019, COVID-19 in 2020, Election-related violence in 2022 and the recent Bagana volcanic eruption this year.
The UN in PNG is keen on advancing its current interventions on humanitarian coordination and disaster/emergency management through building organizational/institutional capacity of frontline first responder government agencies including the PNG National Disaster Centre and Provincial Disaster Coordination offices.
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Press Release
14 July 2023
UNOPS Empowers PNG Companies to Embrace Growth Opportunities
UNOPS supports the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to fulfil its commitment to delivering essential services to the people of Papua New Guinea. Through initiatives focused on critical and climate-resilient infrastructure, health infrastructure, waste management, procurement and project management support, UNOPS continues to contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
Recently, UNOPS held a workshop for interested companies to support their understanding of how to respond to available tender opportunities through UNOPS portfolio of work in PNG. The workshop enabled companies to learn how to search, register and fulfil tender criteria through the United Nations Global Market portal (UNGM) and the UNOPS website. It also gave basic information about how UNOPS handles procurement, including how proposals are requested and evaluated for different types of submissions.
The workshop received overwhelmingly positive feedback from over 70 attendees, including both in person and online. Participants commended UNOPS for its exceptional support in helping companies understand the eligibility requirements for partnering with them. Expressing the same sentiments was Imelda Torie who stated, “The detailed criteria for assessing tender responses is highly encouraging to those who would like to see development activities and initiatives for PNG delivered in full and on time adhering to quality standards.”
UNOPS has been active in the region since 2019 and its portfolio of work is rapidly expanding with activities already taking place in a number of provinces both in the highlands and coastal regions of PNG. UNOPS is keen on partnering with eligible local companies to progress its commitments to international donor partners and the Government of PNG and a range of tenders will be advertised throughout the remainder of 2023.
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About UNOPS:
UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. We respond to our partner’s needs in the world’s most challenging environments, by combining the best of the UN and the private sector, as we build foundations for countries to achieve sustainable development. Read more: www.unops.org
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Press Release
15 May 2023
Statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
PORT MORESBY, 17 MAY 2023 - The United Nations remains committed to working with its development partners in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to protecting and defending the human rights of all people.
An equal world depends on recognizing and respecting diverse identities and hence, the theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) this year is “Together always: United in diversity.”
PNG has made considerable progress and endorsed the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has also ratified six international Human Rights treaties since 2008 but is yet to establish a National Human Rights Commission.
However, PNG criminalizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT) people under the Criminal Code 1974, Section 210 on Unnatural Offences. This legislation, based on Queensland Criminal Code from colonial times, only criminalizes sexual activity between males. The law is silent on female and cross gender activity.
It is now time for PNG to reform such outdated colonial period legislation to recognize human rights and equality for all, including LGBT people
All actors must embrace diversity and inclusion and better protect individuals from discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and diversity. This includes identifying and addressing the root causes of stigma, discrimination, and various forms of violence.
Discrimination experienced by LGBT and gender diverse people harms these individuals directly both physically and psychosocially. In addition, it leads to marginalization and negatively impacts their ability to fully realize all their human rights, including access to government services, health, family life, work, and others.
Root causes of discrimination against marginalized groups of people must be called out, putting human rights as an essential element of the 2030 Agenda and its promise to leave no one behind.
Promoting equality and human rights of all humans will continue to be at the heart of the United Nations’ work across countries.
The United Nations supports and upholds the fundamental human rights and dignity of all people.
END
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Press Release
03 May 2023
UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
A unified celebration of World Press Freedom Day was today hosted jointly by the United Nations and media companies in Papua New Guinea.
Acknowledging World Press Freedom Day is particularly significant in 2023 because it is 30 years since the UN’s General Assembly proclaimed the public’s inalienable right to freedom of expression.
Around the world, media freedoms are being eroded. Journalists are frequently intimidated. World Press Freedom Day is also a time to reflect and pay tribute to the 430 journalists globally who were silenced by death or imprisonment in 2022.
This year also coincides with the 75th Anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to be observed on 10th December.
The theme for World Press Freedom Day, “Shaping the Future with Rights”, reaffirms freedom of expression as a driver for the progress of humanity.
The UN’s Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, Mr. Richard Howard, said a free media is one of the cornerstones of democracy.
“When transparency is nurtured, justice succeeds. Journalists have a responsibility to deliver the facts needed for the public to make informed decisions on the type of society they want for their country, Mr. Howard said.
Mr. Howard said a journalist’s focus is to publicise the truth by reporting without fear or favour in an open environment.
He said, journalists who embrace a Code of Ethics are more likely to discharge their obligations of serving the nation as honest brokers for the people.
“Media outlets are to be commended for the extraordinary volume of news they publish over the course of a year. It is even more important in the digital age because people must be able to trust the media to counter misinformation often dressed up as fact on social media platforms,” said Mr. Howard.
There is a need for journalists to receive standardised training and the ongoing challenge of low wages and poor working conditions has still not been addressed. Such issues have resulted in many A-Grade journalists leaving the industry for communications positions in other sectors.
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