PNG will host best APEC leaders summit, says Prime Minister O'Neill

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister  Peter O’Neill has reiterated his confidence that Papua New Guinea will host a first-class Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit in November 2018.

He said the recent event where PNG hosted a successful 15th Pacific Games in July in a world-class fashion has indicated to the rest of the world that PNG is capable.

And now with Star Mountain Plaza Project, the building to accommodate the meet already launched, Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said PNG is confident this will once more show our capability to the world.

Prime Minister said when he decided in 2012 to play host for the 2018 APEC Leaders Summit, many had doubted that PNG was capable. "Let there be no doubt, PNG is very capable of delivering a first-class APEC meeting in 2018.

"Our ability to host the Pacific Games in a world class fashion has indicated so and we shall host that event in a Pacific style. He said this at the launch of the Star Mountain Plaza Project, with assurance from the project developer Hilton Group that the first stage of the project should be completed in 2017 in time for the event.

"We will continue to build other infrastructures in the city, particularly the redevelopment of our Port where we will be hosting many cruiser lines that will also provide additional accommodation for seven or eight thousand people who will be visiting. We are expanding with other groups also for some more rooms in the city as well."

He said PNG will continue to host such events because people continue to have confidence in PNG. "Next week, we will host the Pacific Island Leaders Forum where almost 20 countries within the region will come to PNG. "We also host the FIFA women’s world cup next year and of course the rugby league world cup together with Australia and New Zealand in 2017.