PNG PM Peter O’Neill Highlights the Importance of Global Engagement to Resolve Local Challenges, Conclusion of PALM 7 in Japan
The Prime Minister made the comments at the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7) in Iwaki, Japan, on May 23.
The meeting then concluded with the 'Fukushima Iwaki Declaration – Building a Prosperous Future Together' that set out seven pillars of regional cooperation. These are in the areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change, environment, people-to-people exchanges, sustainable development, maritime issues and fisheries, and trade, investment and tourism.At the meeting, Japan also pledged ¥55 billion (K1.2 billion) in development support to Pacific nations that will be provided over the next three years in areas that include deals with the impact of global warming and natural disasters.
In his final intervention at the meeting, Prime Minister O'Neill said issues such as climate change need attention from all countries, and he highlighted Papua New Guinea's approach to dealing with the important regional issues.
Text of Intervention by Prime Minister O'Neill:
Good Afternoon.
The global political environment is changing. In the past the larger countries had all the say in global politics – but now smaller countries have a voice at the table. This includes our Pacific Island states.
This is important as many of our local issues are also global issues.
The affects of climate change do not respect borders. Carbon emissions from Northern America or Europe contribute to climate change that is flooding islands in Palau, Tuvalu, Kiribati or other island countries.
That is why it is important that we continue work across borders and with each other to deal with these issues that are affecting our countries.
Prime Minister Abe, many of the initiatives that you have proposed will enable all our countries to work together to help our people.
We support your proposal for International Tsunami Awareness Day. Papua New Guinea and Japan have both suffered from tsunamis and we need to increase awareness in our people before a tsunami occurs again.
Papua New Guinea also supports calls for the reform of the UN Security Council. It must reflect the views of the global community, not the views of a few.
Two international cooperation issues that are very important for Papua New Guinea – that relate to issues outside our borders – include people smuggling, and the issue of our brothers and sisters in West Papua.
In relation to people smuggling and asylum seekers - men, women and children were dying as they tried to make a boat journey from Indonesia to Australia.
These were desperate people – some of them being legitimate refugees – but all were being preyed on by people smugglers. Papua New Guinea, like Nauru, was asked to help in stopping these deaths at sea.
The Regional Processing Centre on Manus has had its challenges, but we are gradually moving people out of this facility – many returning back to their home countries when they are fount not to be legitimate refugees.
We are also inviting some of these people, those who have been found to be legitimate refugees, to come and live in our country – to work in jobs where their skills are needed and they can become part of our communities.
Another area of great importance to us in our region is human rights and well-being for Melanesians living in West Papua. Papua New Guinea has been working behind the scenes with the Government of Indonesia to see what we can do. I have discussed these issues with President Yudhoyono, and now we are engaging meaningfully with President Joko Widodo. President Widodo is a man who understands the situation in West Papua – and he appreciates that Leaders from the Pacific community can help.
Papua New Guinea has been clear in stating that our issue is concern for human rights. We are proposing that the elected Governors of the five Melanesian provinces in Indonesia be represented at our sub-regional meeting – through the Melanesian Spearhead Group. This is the only way to bring elected representatives of Melanesian people in Indonesia to the table. There is not a collective voice amongst the various political movements.
There are 11 million Melanesians living in Indonesia – if we are to be inclusive, we need to have representation from the elected leaders. Then we can continue to work to improve social conditions, and empower people to engage in business and improve their communities.
Playing emotional politics through the media is not the way to manage international issues in the modern world. This applies to dealing with issues such as climate change, asylum seekers, West Papua, as well as our own interaction between Pacific Island nations.
Now is not a time to labour over petty issues, it is a time to be proactive and act with mutual respect for the betterment of our fellow men and women.
Thank You.
The next PALM Conference will take place again in Japan in 2018.
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