The European Union (EU) Delegation to Papua New Guinea has launched the Green Diplomacy Week 2024, a three-day event aimed at fostering local partnerships for sustainability, environmental protection, and climate action.
Held from December 11 to 13 at the Moresby Arts Theatre, the event highlighted the EU’s global commitment to combating climate change while promoting youth leadership in environmental advocacy.
The Green Diplomacy Week serves as a platform for promoting dialogue, cooperation, and youth leadership on climate action and environmental conservation.
This year’s event in PNG focuses on inspiring youth engagement and leadership, with students from various schools in the National Capital District forming the primary audience.
His Excellency Jacques Fradin, EU Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, and Hon. Powes Parkop, National Capital District Governor and Guest Speaker, led the opening ceremony, followed by the screening of the environmental film “Into the Jungle,” which explored biodiversity conservation challenges.
A post-screening discussion featured conservation experts emphasizing the crucial role of local communities in environmental protection.
“The EU is committed to working with partners around the globe to address challenges and drive the necessary green transition,” Ambassador Fradin said.
“In Papua New Guinea, the EU has been a long-standing partner on climate and environmental action through initiatives like the EU-FCCB and EU-STREIT programmes. We are delighted to dedicate this year’s Green Diplomacy Week to youth leadership.”
The campaign actively engages youth from across PNG in panel discussions over two days, focusing on leadership in climate action, biodiversity, forestry, and sustainability.
“These discussions will provide an opportunity for young people to ask critical questions and explore solutions to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainability challenges as our nation faces these pressing issues,” said Ambassador Fradin.
The Green Diplomacy Week launch aligns with Governor Parkop’s broader vision of transforming Port Moresby into a sustainable, eco-friendly, and thriving city where development goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship.
“As the leader of our capital city, I have been vocal on climate change not only at the national level but also as part of a global community. I am ready to partner with all our international friends to address the challenges that threaten our planet,” said Parkop.
The governor reiterated the need for partnerships with developed nations to ensure PNG progresses economically while preserving its natural environment.
“As a carbon-neutral nation, we face many challenges in achieving economic growth. However, through collaboration with nations that have advanced technologies and experience, we can develop sustainably without destroying our environment,” he said.
Parkop called for continued global support to protect PNG’s rainforests, which are “not only crucial for the nation’s future but also for the planet’s environmental balance.” He said PNG is home to some of the world’s most ecologically significant tropical rainforests, covering over 70% of the nation’s land area.
These forests form part of the third-largest contiguous rainforest on Earth, serving as a vital biodiversity hotspot with species unique to PNG, therefore the country’s involvement and support through forest preservation is paramount, he said.
“Together, we must safeguard what we have learn from global best practices to ensure economic progress aligns with environmental protection. This partnership is essential for creating a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea,” he added.
Program Highlights
The Green Diplomacy Week program also included additional film screenings aimed at raising environmental awareness.
A panel discussion on “Youth Leadership in Climate Action and Sustainability” saw young environmental leaders and the EU Ambassador sharing strategies for empowering future climate advocates.
The EU-FCCB Programme will also announce Master’s Scholarship and Research Grants to support climate and biodiversity research in Papua New Guinea, reinforcing the EU’s investment in the country’s sustainable future.
The European Union recognizes that climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, desertification, and pollution are interconnected global crises that threaten security and development.
As a leading force in global climate action, the EU remains committed to the Paris Agreement and works collaboratively with international partners to address these pressing challenges, it added in a statement.
In 2023, the EU provided €28.6 billion in public climate finance and mobilized an additional €7.2 billion from the private sector to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
Papua New Guinea partnership with the EU’s climate and environmental initiatives are marked by two key programs:
- The EU Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity (EU-FCCB) Programme, which supports sustainable natural resource management and Papua New Guinea’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
- The EU-STREIT Programme, which focuses on boosting rural economic development by enhancing returns from cocoa, vanilla, and fishery value chains.
