The government has been called on to make known its approach in addressing West Papua’s ongoing self-determination government and human rights issues the territory is faced with. Staunch supporter of the Free West Papua campaign and National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop raised a series of questions towards the Foreign Affairs Minister in Parliament this week on the matter in light of its 60th anniversary of independence. Parkop said PNG as the “big brother” in the region, has not made much move in addressing the plight of its fellow people on the other side of the New Guinea island. Whilst acknowledging Prime Minister James Marape, former Foreign Affairs Minister Patrick Pruaitch and former Justice Minister and Attorney General Davis Steven for echoing the issue at various regional forums in recent years, Parkop asked if the government has plans to revise its current policy towards West Papua. Foreign Affairs Minister Soroi Eoe in response said the matter is not only his department’s affair but a sovereignty matter thereby requires a collective government’s response which will be done so. “I’d like to take the matter back to cabinet to deliberate and make its own position on the issue.” He also called on Governor Parkop to put the questions raised in writing for him to make an appropriate response.

Minister for Forest Hon Walter D. Schnaubelt has set his focus on increasing downstream processing of logs in the forest sector with alternatives to clear-fell logging towards the Government Policy of ban on export of logs by 2030. And given the majority of land and therefore forest resource is customarily-owned by Papua New Guineans, the Minister wants to see more educational awareness to landowners so they can participate effectively, meaningfully and maximize their benefits. “Any partnership going forward must include our people. Most times decisions in the development of the forest sector do not involve the landowners," Minister Schnaubelt said. In a recent visit to Dami Forestry Station in West New Britain, Minister Schnaubelt announced that the National Forest Service will enforce tougher measures and including monitoring to ensure an increase of another 20 per cent downstream processing of logs. He said that currently there is a 30 per cent ban on log exports or 30 per cent of logs are downstream-processed into various timber products with 70 per cent allowed out as log exports, he said. “With the increase of a further 20 per cent on downstream processing — approximately 5 per cent per annum for the next four years — we are working towards 50 per cent downstream processing by 2025," he said. Minister Schnaubelt said that the target of complete ban of log export by 2030 - which is a 100 per cent downstream processing of all logs is a challenging task which needs to take into consideration market access, development and expansion especially access of timber products - to ensure sustained returns on forest resources as well as value-adding on PNG’s exports through timber products. [caption id="attachment_17307" align="alignnone" width="566"] Minister for Forest Walter Schnaubelt[/caption] “We must commence now and increase downstream processing targets if we are to achieve this target date," he said, adding that increasing downstream processing, re-afforestation and plantation timber programs will also see job opportunities increase. Minister Schnaubelt said the government will soon be making some big announcements in the forest sector on downstream processing and Carbon Trade. “We need to get our people employed through these developments in the forest sector," he said. “I also want to explore exporting opportunities to other nations rather than the current status quo of exporting to just one or two countries at present. This is important for market opportunities for our tropical timber products," he said. “We need to take charge of our State Purchase Option (SPO) cargo whereby under the agreement the timber company gives 25 percent annual quota of round log export through the National Forest Service. “We need to independently test the market. It’s best that we check ourselves in the PNG Forest Authority because then we will have the reference point to carry out these checks," he said. “All of these initiatives are important as we work towards the Government Policy of increasing downstream processing and gradually reach the ambitious target of ban on log exports by 2030 said Minister Schnaubelt

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has this week graduated over a thousand five-year-old students, who are now well-prepared and ready to take the next steps in their education. However, this years’ ceremonies are looking very different and have been split into small groups to ensure the children still have the opportunity to celebrate this important milestone despite the current pandemic. Steamships Trading Limited – a foundation sponsor of BbP – having generously established Library learning Centres in Lae, Goroka and Port Moresby will today attend the smaller graduation ceremonies at Pari village. Rupert Bray, Managing Director of Steamships Trading Limited said: “Part of the success of our business has been investing in our people and in our communities. Buk bilong Pikinini objectives closely align with our own core values of development and of always learning and improving. Being able to read is so fundamental to progressing that it is only natural that we are strong supporters of Buk bilong Pikinini.  Reading opens new perspectives and opportunities for children.” Leanne Resson, BbO Executive Officer said: “BbP’s program has shown year after year, that children who have attended the organisations’ Early Childhood Development program consistently perform strongly academically compared with children who have not had the opportunity to attend an early childhood learning program. We are therefore encouraged by the governments’ new ECE policy and are looking forward to continue to provide solid ECE learning foundations for children across the country together with our partners.” As part of BbP’s in-house developed curriculum, the children have been taught phonics, segmenting and blending and many are now able to read. They have been taught discipline and classroom behaviour and are ready to focus on learning. [caption id="attachment_17321" align="aligncenter" width="612"] Photo: Hon. Dadi Toka Chairman of Motu Koita Assembly and Deputy Governor for National Capital District, and Rupert Bray Managing Director of Steamships, standing outside of the Buk bilong Pikinini Library Learning Centre at Pari with young Onne and Milivoi.[/caption] They have also enjoyed BbP’s Numeracy and Early STEM program and understand basic concepts of maths and problem solving. The have also received Financial Literacy lessons and held their own Market Day to practice their numeracy skills during Literacy Week. The children have gained an appreciation of their culture and have this year studied animal, forest, ocean and village connection to PNG customs and culture. The stories created will be turned into digital readers and made available on the BbP Learning App. Thanks to the support of CPL and St John’s Ambulance the children have also learnt vital health and hygiene lessons. BbP’s Digital Learning program, has been further developed and tested and will be fully rolled out in 2022. BbP’s Teacher-Librarians received further training, including in the digital program and the organisation’s inclusive special needs and sign language program. BbP has also developed seven new readers to add to the six already published, which features local children in professional roles – entitled: “When I grow up I want to be a …”. The seven readers covering an Engineer, a Nurse, a Pharmacist, a Heavy Equipment Operator, a Pastry Chef and an Architect will be launched next year. The readers have been sponsored by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation with beautiful photography provided by Roan Paul. Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Founder and Chair said: “Despite this difficult year for everyone, it wonderful to see more than 1000 children graduating from our programs equipped with the skills to successfully transition to the next stages of their learning. There no time to waste, it is essential for the increase in literacy rates to start teaching the children to read at the foundational level. We are grateful for the tremendous and generous support we receive from our sponsors and partners in both PNG and Australia.” [caption id="attachment_17322" align="aligncenter" width="611"] Photo: Hon. Dadi Toka, Chairman of Motu Koita Assembly and Deputy Governor for National Capital District, and Rupert Bray, Managing Director of Steamships, presenting young Christabelle with her graduation certificate.[/caption] BbP is able to deliver its comprehensive Early Childhood Development program thanks to the generous support it receives from all its donors and partners in both PNG and Australia. (See banner below).

Young lawyer Isabella Kila is a passionate advocate for people with disability and is working to improve their access to justice with support from the Australian Government. Ms Kila, 26, who recently graduated from the Legal Training Institute, has long been active in promoting the rights of young people with disability, including increasing awareness of their circumstances and needs. She is currently using her considerable talents to help address the many challenges confronting women and girls with disability particularly those who experience family and sexual violence. As a person with disability herself, Ms Kila is keen to improve the way the legal system and survivor support services treat people with disability. “I am a dedicated advocate for people with disability and a lawyer at the same time,” she says. “I strongly believe that policies should consider all aspects of life for people with disability and promote equal opportunities for all.” Ms Kila recently presented at a workshop in Port Moresby on the different services available to FSV survivors through the Survivor Advocate Toolkit and Referral Pathway. She says people with disability who are survivors of family violence face significant additional obstacles in accessing services. Her presentation at the workshop generated important discussions amongst service providers on how to address these issues. The workshop Ms Kila presented at was organised by the Law and Justice Sector Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion Community of Practice with support through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership.

Port Moresby Nature Park’s Christmas in the Park event, officially launched on Thursday 25th of November will begin its main Christmas attractions starting this weekend. In a soft launch of the events last week, Port Moresby Nature Park’s General Manager, Mr. David Thompson said, “This is the second time the park would be having the Christmas in the Park event, however without the extravagant shows to minimise contact among guests and staff due to current Covid restrictions”. “Christmas surely is a time to be happy, and this time, we’d like to continue to offer that to our guests however with more care taken to ensure people can still feel the joy of Christmas while being totally Covid-safe”, Mr. Thompson added. He further added, “We would like to thank our main event sponsor, Prima Smallgoods and support sponsors for making this event possible for the second consecutive year since its inaugural one held last year. Prima Smallgoods have now come onboard as the Main Event Sponsor, continuing their support for this family event last year as event supporters-their support we’re truly grateful for”. Prima Smallgoods Regional Sales Manager, Mr. Mai Ori said, “Covid has no doubt affected a lot of people and being the main event sponsor to the Christmas in the Park event is our way of lifting people’s spirits, adding some happiness and joy to their lives during this festive period”. “We’re a food company, and our food products are something that we’d like all families to enjoy and being part of this event is a great opportunity for us to strengthen that relationship with our consumers”, added Mr Ori. Port Moresby Nature Park extends its thanks to its support sponsors, NCDC, CPL Group, The National and Digicel PNG, for their continued support to the Christmas in the Park event. The event’s Christmas attractions is open for the public starting this weekend, Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December where visitors to the Park can sight some creative Christmas themed displays, including Santa’s Village, Candy Land, The Crib and Santa’s Candy Store where a lot of christmas treats can be purchased. These activities will continue every weekend until Monday 27th December. Christmas Wonderland decorations will still be out at the Park until Sunday 2nd January 2022, allowing guests to still share in the festivity, through to the New Year. All activities have been carefully planned to allow guests to safely enjoy their Christmas outing at the Park with minimal contact, observing the Niupela Pasin with standard entry fees applying. Port Moresby Nature Park continues to take proactive measures such as mandatory mask-wearing, hand-sanitizing, social distancing and temperature checks to ensure that the safety of its staff and guests is always a priority. The Park is open every day from 9am to 4pm.

Schoolchildren at the Marorogo Primary School in Erave, Southern Highlands Province were thrilled to receive keys to a new double classroom fully fitted with desks to enhance learning. A new teacher’s house was also handed over to the school. Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Managing Director Augustine Mano was on hand to present the brand new school infrastructures to the school and the community of Marorogo on Thursday 25th November 2021. During the handover ceremony, Mano stressed the importance of investing in quality education using income from oil and gas and encourage students and the community to value education. “You must get good education; you must strive to be better than me. I never thought I would become a managing director of a big organization but here I am.” “You have the opportunity to be someone greater than me and this can only be realized through education.” “This is why Petroleum Resources Gobe (PRG) has made education a top priority and investing heavily in delivering quality school infrastructure using its Community Infrastructure Trust Fund (CITF).” The double classroom and the teacher’s house were built at a cost of K559, 953.89, funded by PRG. Construction for these infrastructure commenced in 2016. Progress was slow as lack of road link to the village made it impossible for vehicles to transport building equipment and material. However, the need for service pushed the community to step up and take ownership. On the belief “My School, My Future” the community of Mararogo with support from PRG and MRDC built the double classroom and teachers’ house themselves. Head Carpenter Kalu David said that building material were carried by the community themselves from Sembirigi to Marorogo, which is a 12km walk through a bush trek. Situated outside the corridor of the Gobe Oil Project, Marorogo Primary caters for many of the primary school children living in villages along the Erave/Semberigi area. For PRG, this project follows on from a similar project for Yanguri Elementary School, also in the same area which received two new classrooms and a teacher’s house in July this year.

PAPUA New Guinea must be prepared and ready for Omicron and other emerging variants of COVID-19, says Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom. Dr Daoni said Omicron, the new variant was first detected in South Africa on 24 November, 2021, but there are still many unknowns about it. The early signs, he said, are that it may be more transmissible but it is still not known what risks it poses to public health. “Compared to other variants, Omicron has more than 32 mutations, beta has nine mutations and delta has nine on their spike proteins that help them to bind on the human cells,’’ he said. “Key information like the transmissibility, infectivity, severity of infections, its ability to re-infect people and its outcomes on fully vaccinated people are still unknown. We have more questions yet to be answered on the effectiveness of current tests, therapeutics and also on vaccines on this new variant.’’ Despite not having much information yet about Omicron, Dr Daoni has cautioned that PNG must be vigilant and prepared and must be on the offensive for the new variant. “We must be prepared and not panic. We have to be concerned but not to overreact and do what is right to keep the variant out and if it does enter the country, we have to do the right things to mitigate its impact,’’ he said. “We will to be guided by the risk assessments and the science and public health facts and evidence to guide us on how to act swiftly and appropriately.’’ Dr Daoni assured that the National Control Centre (NCC) team is working with its partners to ensure that the country’s borders are being monitored and that appropriate quarantine and isolation measures will be implemented on people coming into PNG. “We will adjust our testing strategies in order to detect cases and we are working with IMR and a private laboratory in Port Moresby in order to undertake whole genomic sequencing (WGS) to detect all the variants including those already identified including alpha, deta, gamma, delta and omicron. PNG must have the whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology and capability in order to support it,’’ he said. “It’s very essential and it’s a technology that PNG must have. Currently, PNG is sending its positive samples to the Doherty Institute in Melbourne to do the WGS and takes between 3-4 weeks to get the results back. It’s a very slow turnaround time and by the time we get the results it’s very late to even use the information except to include them in our data base. Meanwhile, Dr Daoni has urged all those who are 18 years and above to get themselves vaccinated including all those who have comorbidities and frontline workers. “It’s a must that we must get all these people vaccinated as we are currently unsure for how they will fare if the Omicron variant enters the country,’’ he said. “We must continue to follow and adhere to the Niupla Pasin measures. People must come forward and test if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and most importantly we must get our people vaccinated. We are still dealing with the impacts of the delta variant and must be prepared and ready to deal with the omicron variant if it comes to PNG.’’

The New Zealand government is deploying dozens of Defence Force and police personnel to Honiara in the coming days, "to help restore peace and stability". Since rioting and looting started in the Solomon Islands last week, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea have sent troops to help keep the peace there. An initial NZDF team of 15 will joint them tomorrow, followed by a larger group of 50 at the weekend. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the response is short-term and to help restore peace and stability. "New Zealand is committed to its responsibilities and playing its part in upholding regional security. "We are deeply concerned by the recent civil unrest and rioting in Honiara, and following yesterday's request of the Solomon Islands government, we have moved quickly to provide urgent assistance." Samoan police are also on standby to send personnel to assist peacekeeping forces. The unrest stemmed from a protest calling for the removal of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and left major destruction in the capital.

Honduras looks set to elect its first female president, Xiomara Castro, after the ruling party conceded defeat. Ms Castro, the candidate for the left-wing Libre (Free) Party, has a preliminary lead of almost 20 percentage points over her rival. Her victory will bring an end to the 12-year reign of the right-wing National Party, which has been plagued by scandals and corruption accusations. Ms Castro will replace the divisive President Juan Orlando Hernández. He has been dogged by allegations of ties to the drugs trade after his brother Antonio was jailed for trafficking in the United States. Ms Castro has promised to "pull Honduras out of the abyss" of "a narco-dictatorship and corruption". Her husband, Manuel Zelaya, ruled the country from 2006 until 2009, when he was ousted by a coup. She ran for office twice before in the years following his removal from power. Votes are still being counted and the electoral council is yet to formally declare the winner. However Tuesday's concession of defeat by the governing party came two days after Ms Castro surged ahead in preliminary results. Her main rival Nasry Asfura said on a local television broadcast that he had visited Ms Castro and her family. "Now I want to say publicly that I congratulate her on her triumph and as president-elect," Mr Asfura said, adding: "I wish that God will enlighten and guide her so that her administration will do the best for all of us Hondurans". The former first lady has promised big changes after taking office. She inherits a country wrecked by problems like violent crime, drug trafficking and large-scale migration to the US. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has sent his congratulations, and said Washington is looking forward to working with her. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

St John Ambulance was assisted with a brand new vehicle and K70, 000 worth of emergency and rescue equipment recently by PNG Ports. St John Chief Executive Officer Matt Cannon said the assistance was ideal and timely and thanked PNG Ports. “The brand new Ford Ranger will be used in major emergencies in NCD, Central and as far as Gulf Provinces,” Mr Cannon said. “It is equipped with paramedic and rescue equipment that can be used to stabilize severely injured people and provide support if there is a major emergency affecting a lot of people.” “The 70, 000 worth of equipment will be used as part of St John’s response to emergencies and severe maternal cases in NCD and Central regions.” “We want to thank PNG Ports for the great support to St John, this is the first time in years and hopefully we can polish up our partnership so we can improve healthcare to people in urban and rural areas.” Chairman of PNG Ports, Kepas Wali said as a charity organization operating entirely from donations, St John relies on its share from the government budget, additional funding from the Health Department, some provincial governments, corporate supporters and personal donations. “It has also been in the forefront of the country’s response to COVID-19,” Mr Wali said. “Thank you St John for the heart to serve our citizens, even in times like this, and we at PNG Ports hope our gesture goes a long way in assisting you deliver to the people of PNG.” “PNG Ports had decided to assist in its capacity as a State Owned Enterprise and responsible corporate citizen because of the good work St John has done.”

Key Population Advocacy Consortium (KP Consortium), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), in close collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea, marked World AIDS Day by launching a Community-Led Monitoring mechanism designed to increase the quality of services for people living with HIV in the National Capital District (NCD). “PNG has made and continues to make great strides to address HIV/AIDS, and the U.S. government will continue to stand with the government and people of PNG,” said U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu Erin E. McKee. “This model of community-led design and implementation is at the very heart of the United States’ mission here in Papua New Guinea. Our goal - not only in HIV/AIDS or health support, but in everything that we do - is to empower communities to be the drivers of their own development.” “Community Led monitoring is an important piece of the national HIV response by making sure community voices are heard. This brings together government and community initiatives to build a stronger system for health to ensure that nobody is left behind.” said Dr Peniel Boas, Program Manager of the PNG National Department of Health. “The support from the U.S. Government and UNAIDS is catalytic to achieving this.” Community-led monitoring (CLM) is part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and global strategies to improve the quality of care for people living with HIV. With the support of USAID and UNAIDS, the activity is designed, led, and implemented by local community-based organizations, networks of key populations, people living with HIV, and other affected groups. The CLM mechanism develops a pathway for communities to collect and analyze data, provide recommendations, and ensure improvements in HIV services - translating into action and change - while also focusing on strengthening local institutions. In 2022, USAID will provide over $3.8 million to support HIV/AIDS programming in PNG, including CLM activities. UNAIDS and the KP Consortium will work together to design, implement, and run the CLM system. The mechanism will initially focus on eleven USAID-supported HIV sites in the NCD and will collaborate with partners to expand its reach and impact. “It is encouraging to see Papua New Guinea take the next steps to more inclusive, evidence-based, and people centered responses through community led monitoring initiatives,” said Patricia Ongpin, Officer in Charge of UNAIDS Papua New Guinea. “Communities and strategic information are central pieces to the Global AIDS Strategy and thus are critical to global and national HIV responses. This is an important step to addressing inequalities and ending AIDS by 2030.” “The KP Advocacy Consortium PNG is excited about a new venture to strengthen our relationships meaningfully with partners. As a community-led organization, we will be able to express our voices through qualitative and quantitative data to influence change. We aim to work in partnership with our health and social services to jointly address challenges and also collectively celebrate results. We would like to thank USAID for its trust and commitment to investing in a newly formed Community Led Organization,” said Lesley Bola, KP Advocacy Consortium Coordinator for PNG. Papua New Guinea has the highest HIV incidence and prevalence in the Pacific region. The country represents 95% of the reported HIV cases in the region and approximately 55,000 people in PNG are living with HIV. The U.S. Government aims to achieve inclusive, resilient and sustainable control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in PNG in collaboration with partners like the National Department of Health and UNAIDS, and through the leadership of the affected community represented by KP Consortium. Through its five-year, $17.2 million HIV Support in Papua New Guinea Activity, USAID works with government counterparts, multilateral and donor organizations, and local partners to contribute towards the HIV/AIDS response in the NCD and nationally aimed at strengthening PNG’s HIV/AIDS interventions to bend the curve towards epidemic control. U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has invested over $85 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, saving 20 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and supporting several countries to achieve HIV epidemic control since its inception in 2003. The Department of State's Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy leads, manages, and oversees PEPFAR). PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, saving over 20 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and accelerating progress toward controlling the global HIV/AIDS epidemic in more than 50 countries.

Nambawan Super Limited has supported BSP’s statement that rejects the secretive new revenue measures included in the proposed 2022 National Government Budget. Speaking to the media recently, NSL Chief Executive Officer Paul Sayer said no consultations had been undertaken with any of the Authorised Super Funds or key stakeholders about this new K190 million market concentration levy, indexed to grow each year by 5%, on BSP as the major bank in PNG. “As a tax on profits, it is a tax on the shareholders and not BSP as a company,” Mr Sayer said. He said Superannuation funds have provided the patient capital in BSP that enabled the bank to establish itself. “It is in fact K190m worth of dividends that the State will be taking away from shareholders.” He said this is effectively an extra tax burden on hardworking tax payers who are already highly taxed throughout their working lives. “Nambawan Super members can expect to lose just under K23 million worth of dividend revenue as our 12% share of the K190 million burden from the State.” “Nambawan Super is one of the largest shareholders of BSP with a 12% stake in the business. The Superannuation Fund CEO further adds this levy will not disable the services Nambawan Super provides to its members, but will be felt by members.