The g7+ delegation led by Dr. Helder da Costa, General Secretary of g7+ visited Port Moresby, Capital of the Papua New Guinea (PNG), from 08 to 12 April 2024. The mission aims to increase political buy-in from the government of Papua New Guinea and to facilitate sharing of experiences between PNG and other g7+ member countries on peace and development.
During a week visit to Port Moresby, the g7+ delegation had a productive discussion with different government representatives namely Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Electoral Commissioner of PNG, Secretary of Justice and Attorney General, Ombudsman, Secretary of Defense, Representative of the Secretary of Planning, New Zealand High Commissioner in PNG, Representative of Australia High Commissioner in PNG and delivered presentation to students at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Dr. Helder da Costa said the g7+ is delighted to visit Papua New Guinea for the first time and witness firsthand the progress the country has achieved this far. The delegation appreciates the warm welcome and hospitality during the visit.
When meeting the authorities, the delegation congratulates on the impressive progress it has made that put the country onto a path of strong, inclusive, and resilient growth. Dr. Helder encourages Papua New Guinea to play an active role in the g7+ group as the country has inspiring experiences to share and learn from other g7+ member countries in peacebuilding and statebuilidng.
The government representatives were pleased to welcome the delegation in Port Moresby and to hear the g7+ noble work in promoting peace and stability at the country and global level. They assured of Papua New Guinea’s participation in the group and commit to support g7+ peer learning and fragile-to-Fragile program on Justice and Rule of Law, Development, Defense and Security Reform, implementation of the SDGs and engage with the g7+ at the United Nations.
In return, Papua New Guinea also is keen to learn from g7+ countries experiences in strengthening national unity and social cohesion, good governance, and securing peace in the borders. The government of Papua New Guinea also invite g7+ member countries to visit the country and to share experience on Access to Justice and other areas of common interest including mobilize the group collective voice at the International Forum such as UNGA, World Bank and IMF meetings, COP29, UNESCAP etc.
The g7+ delegation concluded the mission with a strong impression of deepening the engagement with Papua New Guinea and will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to implement some of the joint initiatives agreed during the meetings. The g7+ delegation then led by Mr. Simon Sinai, Electoral Commissioner of Papua New Guinea, traveling to Solomon Islands, to observe the General Election that will take place on 17 April 2024.
For further information, please contact.
Helche Silvester
Media and Communication Manager, The g7+ Secretariat, Dili, Timor-Leste
Helche.silvester@g7plus.org