Environment conservation forum gets underway in Port Moresby

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The various participants of the environment forum. Photo: supplied

By COURTNEY MIRUPASI

A TWO-DAY forum on the National Protected Areas 2021 “Konsevesen wok bung wantaim” is on at the Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby.

The forum is hosted by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Global Environment Facility and PNG CEPA (Conservation and Environment Protection Authority) in the lead up to celebrating World Environment Day on June 5.

Environment and Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori said the new Protected Areas bill will be finalized by the end of this year and passed by parliament.

“It will provide a pathway to protected areas in PNG.”

Minister Mori said he hopes the government bans the logging of round logs and seriously get into conservation of PNG’s pristine forest.

Yesterday the sessions covered setting the scene in terms of progress in Protected Area Management and the launch of the Protected Area Policy, Area Implementation Plan, the PNG Marine Program, and National Plan of Action for Sharks and Rays.

Today’s dialogue sessions will be held by all stakeholders, which include the government donor partners and the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).