New UN rep to PNG presents Credentials

Incoming United Nations’ resident co-ordinator Gianluca Rampolla presented his credentials to Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Rimbink Pato.

Officially taking up his post in-country, Mr Rampolla met with Mr Pato in Port Moresby last week to discuss prospects for deepening the strategic partnership between the government and the United Nations in realising the sustainable development goals, as well as national development and peace building priorities.

“It was a great honour to meet with Mr Rimbink Pato and to present him with the letter of credentials from the UN Secretary-General, appointing me as the UN resident co-ordinator in Papua New Guinea.

“I am humbled and honoured to work with the government to support the people of Papua New Guinea at this historical juncture, with the government hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meetings this year, and the opportunity it provides to boost the work on the sustainable development goals,” Mr Rampolla said.

Mr Pato said the government has built a fantastic working relationship with the United Nations system.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs has enjoyed a very constructive engagement with the United Nations. I hope we continue to work together on all the issues Papua New Guinea is concerned with, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the Bougainville referendum, human rights, and gender,” Mr Pato said.

Prior to his appointment as the highest-ranking UN official in Papua New Guinea, Mr Rampolla served in several UN field assignments in Africa, Europe, and headquarters in New York.  Statement