In Focus
Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum
The 18th Australia- Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum took place in Madang in Papua New Guinea on 23 April covered issues including development assistance, police and defence cooperation, the Kokoda Track and climate change. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Stephen Smith, co-chaired the Forum with his Papua New Guinea Ministerial counterpart Mr Sam Abal MP.
Six Australian Ministers and three Parliamentary Secretaries were in the delegation, demonstrating the importance the Government places on Australia’s bilateral relationship with Papua New Guinea.
During the meeting, Australia and PNG signed a joint statement of understanding on the preservation of the Kokoda Track and Memoranda of Understanding on police cooperation, the establishment of an Australian Tsunami Warning System and tourism cooperation.
Australian and PNG also agreed to negotiate a Heads of Agreement for a bilateral Partnership for Development in time for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Niue in August
The 19th Forum will be held in Australia in 2009.
Reducing Deforestation
The Australian Government will provide $3 million for joint activities with Papua New Guinea to help reduce greenhouse emissions from deforestation under the Papua New Guinea-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership.
At the Ministerial Forum, Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, said Australia would assist Papua New Guinea in improving its capacity to monitor forest carbon.
“Papua New Guinea has the world’s third-largest tropical forest area. Developing market-based incentives to preserve forests is designed to provide options for supporting the development of local communities while helping to reduce global greenhouse emissions,” Mr Smith said.
Kokoda Track
During the Ministerial meeting the two countries signed an historic Joint Understanding on the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges. Through the agreement, Australia and PNG have agreed to preserve the historic values of the Kokoda Track, maintain the integrity of the Track – including sustainable development for the communities along the Kokoda Track corridor - and the special qualities of the trekking experience, which has become an important rite of passage for many Australians.
The Kokoda Track has a special place in Australian history and is a powerful symbol of the bond forged in wartime between the two countries.
The Owen Stanley Ranges, through which the Kokoda Track passes, is one of the most biologically important areas in the Asia Pacific. The Kokoda Track is also Papua New Guinea’s most significant land-based tourism attraction, drawing over 5,000 trekkers to the 96 kilometre track last year.
Refurbished PNG National Library
The refurbished Papua New Guinea National Library was officially opened by Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, during the Ministerial visit.
The National Library was Australia's gift to Papua New Guinea on independence in 1975. In 2005, Australia announced it would fund the refurbishment of the National Library to mark 30 years of independence.
The $3 million refurbishment - including upgrading of air-conditioning, plumbing, insulation, replacement of the damaged roof and installation of computers - commenced in March last year.