Papua New Guinea: Expertise France is committed to the preservation of forests and biodiversity

Papua New Guinea is comprised of 78% of forests that represent a vital source of food security for many Papua New Guineans, 85% of whom live in rural areas, and that constitute a vital part of the cultural, linguistic and spiritual fabric of the country. They are also of global significance in terms of climate change and biodiversity. In particular, the tropical forest of New Guinea, shared with Indonesia, is the world’s third largest rainforest after the Amazon and Congo forest basin. As such, PNG’s forests represent one of the most vital world reserves of carbon and biodiversity in the world.

Protecting the tropical forest in Papua New Guinea is a key priority for the European Union under its Global Gateway Strategy. With funding from the European Union and France, Expertise France intends to work with PNG on matters regarding the preservation of forests and the achievement of the COP15 commitments in terms of biodiversity.

On the occasion of the President’s visit to Papua New Guinea, Mr Pellet signed a contribution agreement with the Ambassador of the European Union in PNG under the Global Gateway Strategy on the national component of the European Union’s “Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity” (EU-FCCB) nexus support programme for the country, which be implemented by Expertise France. With funding from France, Expertise France will also be deploying three international technical experts (ITEs) and a technical assistance in support of PNG government institutions in terms of sustainability and the protection of forests. Finally, Mr Pellet also signed a declaration of intent with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PNG regarding the status of Expertise France in the country, which will enable the agency to benefit from a clear institutional framework to undertake cooperation actions in the country.

The European Union awards the implementation of a major project regarding forests and biodiversity to Expertise France.

The environmental protection of PNG’s forests, as well as the promotion of “greener” sources of social and economic development, is a priority of the Government of PNG. In 2022, the European Union decided to put in place a new major cooperation programme in Papua New Guinea in terms of the “Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity” nexus.

The national/institutional level component of the programme with spill-over effects at the local/ community level will be implemented by Expertise France with a budget of EUR 33,5 million.

With regards to the component awarded to Expertise France, the partnership areas are as follows:

• Effective implementation of evidence-based FCCB policies, governance and institutional frameworks

• Improved FCCB awareness, knowledge, capacities and mobilisation

• Increased inclusive and gender-responsive green growth

Find out more about the Forestery, climate change and biodiversity project

The support of France to the setting-up of a Country Package for “Forests, Nature and Climate” in PNG.

France will also support PNG’s efforts by helping with the setting-up of a Country Package for “Forests, Nature and Climate”. The objective is to help mobilise funds from the international community to help PNG achieve the targets of 30% of protected areas on land and at sea by 2030 (“30x30” objective).

As a first step in this direction, Expertise France, on behalf of the AFD Group, will deploy an international technical expert (ITE) and a technical assistance for the PNG Government’s interagency taskforce in charge of the design and the coordination of this Country Package from the PNG side.

Combined with the EU-FCCB Programme, this Country Package support mechanism will form part of a sizable “Team Europe Initiative” to support PNG’s efforts in this intervention area.

The signature of a declaration of intent regarding the recognition by the PNG government of Expertise France as a designated aid organisation

At the same time as the contribution agreement with the EU, Mr Pellet signed on Friday 28 July a declaration of intent with the Department of Foreign Affairs of PNG regarding the status of the agency in the country.

In this document, the DFA of PNG confirms its willingness to recognise Expertise France as a designated aid organisation in PNG and thus able to benefit from a legal, tax and social status that will enable the agency to implement projects in the country such as the abovementioned EU-FCCB project. This status will enable Expertise France to open an office and deploy personnel.

Moreover, two other international technical experts are also being mobilised. The first will be on sustainable urban planning with the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) and the second will be on sustainable development with the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM).