PRIME Minister Hon. James Marape welcomed judges, lawyers, and legal professionals from across the region to Papua New Guinea for the 10th Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum Conference today, raising the Beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” to underline the event’s significance.
In his opening address, PM Marape stresses Papua New Guinea’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity, as well as its exceptional biodiversity.
He said that the conference’s theme, “Regional Challenges, Regional Solutions, Global Outcomes: Using Mediation to Resolve Environment and Climate Change Disputes,” is particularly relevant given PNG’s unique environmental context.
“You have arrived at the most diverse place on the face of Planet Earth. Apart from our ethnic and cultural diversity, we have up to 7 percent of the world’s biodiversity,” PM Marape said.
He praised the Judiciary for its role in maintaining national unity amid PNG’s diversity over the past 49 years. He also advocated for the integration of traditional knowledge into mediation processes, particularly for environmental disputes.
“Climate Change is not merely a distant reality but an ongoing crisis that fundamentally alters our world,” he said.
“Rising sea levels, droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns are already impacting our communities.”
Marape highlighted the importance of including indigenous perspectives in mediation efforts. He called for a focus on their sustainable practices and local knowledge, which are crucial for developing effective solutions.
“It is incumbent upon us to incorporate their perspectives into our mediation efforts, ensuring their rights and interests are front and center in the pursuit of environmental justice,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also noted the pivotal role of judges and courts in climate change litigation and mediation. He urged that judges be equipped with the knowledge to understand climate science, local governance dynamics, and the interconnectedness of various stakeholders.
Marape acknowledged the PNG Judiciary’s advancements in mediation, including the launch of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rules in 2010 and the more detailed ADR Rules in 2022. These developments formalized mediation within the court system as a means of resolving disputes.
He emphasized that the conference is a crucial platform for addressing local concerns about environmental disruptions and fostering trust and ownership of outcomes among affected communities.
“Let this conference be a launch pad for innovative mediation frameworks that embrace our unique cultures while addressing the pressing realities of climate change,” Marape concluded.
“Welcome to Papua New Guinea, and I leave you with this verse from Matthew 5:9: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.’”
