France pledges K344 million for environment and conservation in PNG

Papua New Guinea stands to benefit from a huge K344 million ($US100 million) French package dedicated to preserving nature and forests and mitigating climate impact.

This funding is expected to go towards already-identified objectives including achieving 30 per cent protection of land and sea by 2030; a 25 per cent reduction in deforestation and forest degradation by 2025; establishing a sustainable financing mechanism for forest biodiversity; and supporting scientific research and education to nurture future generations.

Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the COP28 climate talks in Dubai to seal the agreement.

Papua New Guinea boasts the world's third-largest primary rainforest, making up 7 per cent of the planet's biodiversity.

In a statement released on Sunday, Prime Minister James Marape highlighted meetings he had with Mr Macron throughout 2023, spanning locations such as Gabon in Central Africa, Port Moresby and Paris.

The official launch of the K210 million European Union-funded Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity (EU-FCCB) program in Port Moresby earlier this year marked a significant milestone for Papua New Guinea.

This latest announcement of the $US100 million for nature, forests, and climate in Papua New Guinea is viewed as a substantial contribution, reinforcing France’s commitment to environmental conservation.

"In my addresses at the United Nations General Assembly and various international forums, I consistently emphasised the pivotal role of forest resource management in the climate change conversation” Mr Marape said.

Mr Marape has called on developed nations to follow France's commitment in implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement, particularly in the conservation of Earth's forests, at the ongoing COP28 talks in Dubai.