After 43 years and PNG Foreign Policy will soon be updated

Papua New Guinea for the last 43 years did not have a clear foreign policy to guide its international engagements. 

And in this turbulent time of geo-politics, PNG like other smaller economies have become bait in the Pacific as global powers push for influence.

The last PNG Foreign Policy White Paper was approved by Parliament in 1981, and Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko when receiving the draft copy of the Foreign Policy in Port Moresby today described it as a "great 50 years gift" for the country.

With presentation of the draft PNG Foreign Policy White Paper by the Imminent Person Group chaired by Sir Charles Lepani, the minister responsible will take it to the National Executive Council for endorsement before it makes it to the floor of Parliament for its passage.

"My job is to do the last part of implementation," Foreign Affairs Minister Tkatchenko commented.

The draft white paper took nearly 12 months to be compiled by the Imminent Persons Group chaired by Sir Charles, and members Dame Meg Taylor, Winnie Kiap, Dame Jean Kekedo, Gabriel Pepson, Gabriel Dusava, Dr Clement Waine, Robert Igara and Douveri Henao.

Sir Charles described the draft policy as "trilogy of policy making" which after a nationwide consultation "track PNG's international policy since independence and future international policy".

Some recommendations captured in the draft is on national interest over bilateral international partners interest in funding of aid programs and also a first Foreign Affairs Bill to give the department legal mandate to approve any international bilateral agreements any government statutory organization or department ventures into.