LAUNCH OF PNG CLIMATE FIRST PROJECT
Port Moresby, 13:03:2024:
Hon. Powes Parkop, NCD Governor, officially inaugurated the AUD$20 million (K50 million) Climate Finance Initiative for Resilience and Sustainable Transition (Climate FIRST) Project at APEC Haus in Port Moresby yesterday.
Representing PNG Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, Mr. Parkop highlighted that this four-year project, funded by the Government of Australia under the Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership, will be executed in collaboration with Australia and various partners.
The project will be facilitated by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in partnership with the Climate Change and Development Authority.
Aimed at supporting PNG's access to international climate finance, particularly at the provincial level, where risks and impacts are pronounced, Governor Parkop expressed gratitude for Australia's continued support and emphasized that this partnership will enhance PNG's access to global funds for climate-related initiatives.
Governor Parkop described Climate FIRST as a significant and urgent response to the nation’s call for resources to combat climate change, serving as a catalyst to leverage greater resources available for addressing the global threat.
Acknowledging the Australian Government's funding, Dr. Rijsberman, Managing Director for GGGI, extended gratitude to the PNG Government for engaging GGGI in this transformative project.
He emphasized that Climate FIRST's scale is poised to generate substantial impacts for Papua New Guineans.
Distinguished guests at the event included Dame Meg Taylor, the acting Managing Director for Climate Change Development Authority, Ms. Debra Sungi; Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, John Feakes; Director-General of GGGI, Dr. Frank Rijsberman; and French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine.