O’Neill to share PNG’s Experience with Small Island Developing States

“The courage of the men, women and children of the Pacific’s Smaller Island States is an inspiration for the world,” the Prime Minister, Hon Peter O’Neill CMG MP, said on departure for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Samoa, that begins on September 1.

“On a daily basis people in small island nations deal with fallout from a range of global issues such as climate change and un-balanced international market pressures including the cost of energy.” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said the focus of his attendance at the SIDS Conference is to hear the views of Leaders and people from island nations and contribute to finding real solutions to complex problems.

“In this International Year of the Small Island Developing States, partner countries such as Papua New Guinea must work with our Brothers and Sisters to deliver better standards of living.” The Prime Minister said an important part of this engagement is the consideration of options for expanding Papua New Guinea’s overseas development assistance in the region.

“Papua New Guinea has been strengthening regional partnerships through a growing aid program that focuses on budgetary support and development assistance covering education, judicial support, infrastructure development. “As our own economy expands and standards of living improve, it is important to extend a helping hand particularly in areas where Papua New Guinea has experience.”

He said this includes taking proactive steps for Pacific Island nations to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). “A recent UN Representative evaluation has confirmed significant progress towards achieving Papua New Guinea’s MDGs, and we wish to share our experience in Samoa.”

The UN notes that Government decisions over the past three years have enabled the greater investment in the nation’s future. This includes what the evaluation described as the bold decision to run a deficit budget until 2017, which it reports has enabled PNG to invest now in essential areas. 

These investment priorities, that are highly relevant to SIDS Members, include strengthening law and order, providing better health services, facilitating better access to quality education, and delivering significant improvements in the country’s infrastructure. The UN also observed that this year there has been a record level of funding for services at the District level. The Prime Minister is being accompanied to the conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Rimbink Pato MP and Minister for National Planning, Hon Charles Abel MP.