The governments of Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom have signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to enhance good governance in the forestry sector.
Managing Director of PNG Forest Authority John Mosoro said the MOU is a result of five months of consultation and collaboration between the two government state agencies.
“This MOU paves way for greater collaboration between the Governments of both PNG and UK to enhance good governance foundations in the Forestry sector for the longer-term sustainability and benefit taken from the use of the forest resources for the people,” Mr Mosoro said.
“Through strategic partnerships and collaboration work established through this MOU, PNG can draw from the shared experiences gathered to build capacity and strengthen forest governance in the country. Improving operational policies and establish effective governance systems in the sector to better contribute to the socio-economic growth and sustainable prosperity of the people and the country.
“PNG sees the MOU as a step towards contributing to the greater policy dialogue on sustaining and maintaining our forest to enhancing forest governance globally.”
The MOU was signed on 5 September during the visit of UK’s Minister for Indo – Pacific Catherine West to PNG to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Independence.
Minister West signed strengthening UK-PNG development cooperation, particularly in the forest sector.
The UK and PNG governments have cooperated on development issues throughout the last 50 years.
The new UK-PNG Development Cooperation MOU signed by Minister West and National Planning & Monitoring Minister Sir Ano Pala, formalizes this cooperation and provides a foundation for further programme and sector-level agreements.
UK and PNG also signed an MOU on Cooperation on Forest Governance Foundations to support Sustainable and Productive Forests.
This marks the formal launch of a 10-year co-operation agreement between the PNG Forest Authority and the UK’s Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) Programme.
This represents a milestone in our partnership to secure PNG’s forests now and for future generations.
“Strong forest governance builds trust. It unlocks access to global trade and climate finance. The FGMC partnership will help PNG build the governance systems needed to export locally processed, legal, sustainable timber – creating jobs, generating revenue and showcasing PNG’s leadership in responsible forest management,” Minister West said.
“We look forward to building on these agreements as the UK-PNG partnership goes from strength to strength for the next 50 years and beyond.?