Prime Minister James Marape will not be speaking at the United Nations General Assembly but will instead be sending the Foreign Affairs Minister and Environment Minister to represent PNG.
The Prime Minister stating there were important issues at hand domestically such as the Bougainville Referendum who’s writs are being issued.
“The writs will be issue on that date and I just thought it was more important for me to stay at home for the success of our nation that are important to address. So I have conveyed our apologies to United Nation, to the general secretary and UN as an organization that I will not be attending”
The Prime Minister stating that the Foreign affairs minister would instead read his speech, and the issue of climate change would be amongst those raised.
“Because I am not attending does not mean our message will be diluted at the united nation forum, those who need to hear it will hear it clear and our officials will follow on from our conversations to world forums and organisations who need to hear these issues.”
While countries like Fiji and Vanuatu have given strong statements against countries that are still optimistic on climate change, the Prime Minister says his message will be clear on how climate change is affecting Papua New Guineans.
“ Each Nation will their voice , our voice will be in support to speak that smaller Island Nations are facing the consequences of sea level rising and Climate Change issues”
Another global issue affecting the Pacific island nations is the current China-Taiwan tussle, with the Solomon Islands and Kiribati announcing their diplomatic ties with China; Marape saying PNG is clear on its stance.
“ PNG has acknowledged one china policy since 1975 and will continue as long as we have bilateral realtaions with them, if two island nations decide to embrace this policy it is entirely up to them, if they embrace the policy we welcome them into a group of nations that acknowledge the one china policy”.
The most dire issue at the moment is just across the border from PNG.
The West Papua Issue most likely to be raised at the UN General Assembly and the Prime Minister says his government welcomes the announcement by Indonesia to allow the UN to visit the country, but at the moment, it sees the issue as an isolated situation to be handled by Indonesia.
“I have my own issues to deal with, I sympathize if there are any isolated or any events happening on the other side, I sympathise, on a one on one conversation we are expressing our concerns on the human right perspective”
By Adelaide Sirox Kari – EMTV News, Port Moresby
