Chief Secretary calls for nationwide effort to plant 30,000 mangroves by 2030
The country’s top bureaucrat has called on every sector of society to get behind a major national mangrove-planting drive aimed at protecting coastlines and boosting climate resilience.
The appeal was made during the launch of the National Mangrove Rehabilitation Initiative at Bootless Bay, where the Prime Minister’s Department, CEPA and the University of Papua New Guinea officially kicked off a plan to plant 30,000 mangroves by 2030 as part of PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary activities.
At Tahira, a 30-minute drive out of Port Moresby, the Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu thanked traditional landowners for allowing the program to start on their shores, saying mangroves were vital for both the environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
“Mangroves are crucial to the ecological and economic health of our coastal zones. They protect our shorelines, act as nursery grounds for vital marine life, and serve as significant carbon sinks in our fight against climate change.
“By planting mangroves today, we are taking practical steps towards enhancing resilience for coastal communities, strengthening biodiversity, and honoring the environment that underpins our way of life,” the Chief Secretary stated.
He said the initiative also represented PNG’s commitment to global climate agreements.
“Our presence here today is a response to the promises we've made globally regarding climate action and biodiversity,” he said.
PNG’s commitments under the Climate COP process and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework include reducing emissions and enhancing natural carbon sinks, which the mangrove program aims to support.
Pomaleu stressed that the 30,000-mangrove goal can only be achieved if all sectors work together.
The Chief Secretary has called for collective action from all sectors, local communities, development partners, NGOs, and the private sector, to realize the target of 30,000 mangroves by 2030.
"Your knowledge, commitment, and contributions will be essential for the success of this initiative," he said.
More than 400 mangrove seedlings were planted during Sunday's launch, with officials urging continuous monitoring to ensure they survive and thrive.
"Let the mangroves we plant today stand tall as living symbols of our nation’s resilience, unity, and commitment to a sustainable future," the Chief Secretary said.
Pomaleu also highlighted the need to respect customary rights, undertake environmental assessments, and ensure long-term sustainability as rehabilitation efforts continue.
The event also featured the unveiling of a signboard marking the initiative’s launch and discussions with UPNG’s Professor Simon Saulei on plans to rehabilitate Motupore Island into a modern scientific research centre.