Minister Pato Sharing Development Experience and Gaining Best Practices in Morocco – 10 PNG Students to study in Morocco
Attending the Crans Montana Forum and South-South Cooperation Meeting in the Kingdom of Morocco, in northern Africa, the Minister said globalisation has brought most developing economies many similar challenges.
"Papua New Guinea shares some common development dilemmas with countries of Africa and the Caribbean," Minister Pato said.
"This forum will provide an opportunity to learn best practices on how these challenges to development can be addressed.
"This includes strengthening areas such as resource management, food security, fisheries, tourism and Infrastructure that carry challenges for developing countries around the world," Minister Pato said.
"Matters that underpin stable economies including political stability, peace, security, human rights and gender equality are also on the agenda.
"Papua New Guinea has set an example for many developing economies particularly in areas such as ensuring political stability, infrastructure development and strengthening the resources sector.
"I am sharing our development experience, but to also looking at how other countries have dealt with challenges in sectors like agriculture, or social issues including gender equality.
"These are issues where there is no single approach, but requires learning between communities.
"Developing countries can learn from each other and adapt programs to suit local conditions.
"I will report back to NEC with recommendations and observations that are relevant to Papua New Guinea."
Minister Pato is attending the meeting as a Special Guest of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco together with his counterparts from Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The Crans Montana Forum is an International Organisation established with the support of the Swiss Government to promote international cooperation with focus on integrating the developing countries into the world economy and promoting global dialogue to foster best practices.
The Forum works in close cooperation with institutional partners such as United Nations agencies and the European Union, with which Papua New Guinea has working arrangements bilaterally as well as regionally.
The visit to Morocco also provided the opportunity for Minister Pato to visit the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI).
This is an agency of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs that is responsible for the implementation of over 11,000 Moroccan Government scholarships to developing countries including Papua New Guinea.
"I held discussions with the head of AMCI in order to consolidate and formalise the scholarship package for Papua New Guinea.
"This has already included ten scholarships confirmed for Papua New Guinea in the 2014 academic year.
"There are currently three Papua New Guinea students studying in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Applications for the remaining seven scholarships are to be submitted to the Moroccan Government."
During the visit to AMCI yesterday, Minister Pato also took the opportunity, on behalf of the other Pacific Island leaders, to address Pacific Islands students studying in Rabat. The Minister encouraged them to be responsible youth of the seas of the Pacific and utilize the opportunity wisely to get a quality Moroccan university degree, which is recognized in Europe and elsewhere.
He stressed the significance of learning French as a prerequisite language course for their studies in Morocco as it is one of the seven official languages of the United Nations.
As none of the Pacific Island countries had an embassy in Morocco, the Minister encouraged the students to be good ambassadors of their own countries and the Pacific as a whole while pursuing their studies.
Minister Pato expressed satisfaction at the outcome of his meeting with the AMCI and the Pacific Island students, and is looking forward to participating at the Crans Montana Forum in Dakhla which commences tomorrow.
The Crans Montana Forum and South-South Cooperation Meeting are being held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, from 12-14 March 2015 at Dahkla, Morocco.
PM Media Unit
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