PNG must dictate foreign aid spending: Sir Charles Lepani

A cabinet decision in 2023 by the Marape - Rosso Government, assembled some of Papua New Guinea's great minds to draw a path for the country's international engagements in the coming years.

Chairman of the Imminent Persons Group Sir Charles Lepani responding to questions from this reporter of the draft copy of the PNG Foreign Policy White Paper says - evalution of the country's interest is the base to start with.

"This we hope will give us the guidance, particularly when we know ourselves first, that's important, we must know who we are first and our values that underpins who we should relate too or how flexible we can go."

The last time National Parliament endorsed the country's Foreign Policy was in 1981.

Sir Charles hinted that one of the recommendations contained in the draft is on National interest on Foreign Aid.

"Effort to at least some guidelines… we cannot let the donors come to dictate where they want to spend their money, we should be dictating to them."

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

Mr Igara says another recommendation was for a Foreign Affairs legislation to give the legal mandate to guide and have input to all international bilateral agreements.

"Foreign Affairs is the principle advisory and manager of foreign relationships of our country, right now there is no legislation and this is a recommendation," Mr Igara said.

The draft recommendations on how PNG will interact on the global stage, will now go before the national executive council for endorsement before it is tabled on the floor of Parliament.

The presentation of the draft copy of the white paper was presented to Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko in Port Moresby on Monday.