By GINNAH MINI (Journalist)
THE Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob Dadae, today has received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency, Junior Aini as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Sir Bob welcomed Ambassador Aini as the first Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands accredited to PNG.
“Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands are bound by our shared identity as Pacific Island nations, and by our common aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Blue Pacific,” Sir Bob said.
“We remain steadfast in our collective commitment to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and we value the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that underpins our regional architecture.”
Sir Bob said that PNG stands ready to wok closely with RMI to further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including fisheries, ocean governance, connectivity, climate resilience, people and cultural connections.
Ambassador Aini said that the Marshall Islands is committed to deepening regional cooperation, promoting sustainable development, protecting the ocean resources, and resilience against climate change.
“The Government of the Marshall Islands looks forward to working closely with you and the Government of PNG to foster deeper bilateral cooperation, strengthening regional solitary, and build connections in areas of mutual interest including connectivity, oceans, fisheries, and resilience against the impacts of climate change,” Ambassador Aini said.
Ambassador Aini added that a notable milestone in this cooperative spirit is the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Fisheries Cooperation recently signed between the Federated States of Micronesia, PNG and the Marshall Islands, aiming to capture the full economic value of tuna, our vital resource, by expanding beyond merely selling fishing days.
The agreement is part of the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) framework, aimed at fostering, supporting, and managing fisheries resources.
Ambassador Aini acknowledged PNG’s leadership in digital connectivity for the region and its unwavering solidarity towards the resolution of the Pacific nuclear legacy-a legacy that binds the region in their collective vision for a Nuclear Free Blue Pacific.
Sir Bob assured Ambassador Aini of the full support and cooperation of the Government of Papua New Guinea in the discharge of his responsibilities.