[ad_1]
On Wednesday 19 June 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, MP Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands, Urban Planning, Urbanisation and Immigration, MP John Rosso and Minister of Foreign Affairs, CBE, BEM, ISOP MP Justin Tkatchenko held a press conference at the APEC House in Port Moresby as part of the Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum.
photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Sarah Hodges
Papua New Guinea has introduced a series of new initiatives to strengthen security, legal and judicial priorities.
Australian ministers met with Papua New Guinea officials on Wednesday for the 30th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum.
Australia sent the highest-level delegation in the forum’s history.
The meeting was co-chaired by the two countries’ foreign ministers, Justin Tekachenko and Penny Wong.
During the meeting, the two sides announced several new initiatives that will be implemented under the bilateral security agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
They include:
- Supporting Papua New Guinea’s legal system to help Papua New Guinea investigate and prosecute financial crime;
- Invest in programs that improve access to justice for young people and remote communities;
- Supporting making correctional facilities in Papua New Guinea safer.
Both parties also pledged additional support for stability in the Papua New Guinea Highlands, according to a joint press release from Justice Minister Mark Dreyfus and International Development and the Pacific Minister Pat Conroy.
These include a new programme to help improve weapons management and collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Further assistance will also be provided to Papua New Guinea in “non-traditional” security areas such as cyber, biosecurity, and addressing gender-based violence.
These initiatives will be funded by Australia’s $200 million commitment to support Papua New Guinea’s internal security priorities, made possible through our landmark bilateral security agreement announced in December 2023.
Papua New Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Justin Tekachenko speaks at the Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum.
photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Sarah Hodges
Papua New Guinea receives extra $2 million for landslide prevention
Several Australian ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marrs, have visited the landslide site in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea.
It is estimated that hundreds of people were buried in their sleep when the earthquake struck the village of Yambali in the early hours of May 24.
Australian officials visited the disaster area to express condolences while attending the Papua New Guinea Forum.
At the scene, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced an additional A$2 million for the Muritaka landslide hazard and emergency relief management project.
This is in addition to an additional $2.5 million aid package announced in the days following the disaster.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Mars expressed his condolences.
“We are deeply sorry and extend our condolences to our colleagues in the Papua New Guinea Government and the people of Enga Province who have been affected by the disaster.
“We all remember the 2019-2020 Australian Black Summer bushfires vividly, which was a difficult time for our country.
“Papua New Guinea provided us with assistance and support in our time of need and we are very mindful of that now,” Mr Mars said.
Governor General Sir Peter Ipatas expressed his gratitude to the delegation of ministers and High Commissioner John Fix for their generosity.
– Find the 30th Papua New Guinea-Australia Ministerial Forum Joint Communiqué here.
[ad_2]
Source link
