Minister for Finance and Planning, the Hon. Rainbo Paita, MP held a bilateral meeting with Hon. ldit Slman,MP, Israel’s Minister for Environment Protection, in New York, USA on the margins of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.”
This meeting was a follow-up on the informal dialogue held between Prime Minister Marape and his former Israeli counterpart, current Opposition Leader, His Excellency Yair Lapid, on themargins of last September’s UN General Assembly General Debate High-level Week.”We discussed a wide range of areas of mutual interest between our two countries.
It was a very fruitful discussion, and both of us agreed that PNG and Israel share a special relationship.We agreed that now is an appropriate time for both countries to explore potential areas of economic, agriculture, technology, renewable energy and skills development cooperation,which will strengthen our partnership in the years ahead”, Minister Paita saidMinister Paita said that there are ten (10) potential areas of cooperation that were discussed.
These include:
1) Environmental protection, Climate Change, Forestry and Carbon trading;
2) Establishment of a Papua New Guinea Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel in 2024 and a reciprocal supportive arrangement for Israel in PNG;
 3) Agriculture and Technology;
4) Research, Science and Inovation Hubs;
5) Renewable Enegy;
6)Compulsory Military Service for the youth population;
7) Waste management and Water supply;
8) National Security and Intelligence Capacity and Rebuilding Programme under the Kumul intelligent agency of PNG;Â
9) Language, Cultural and Heritage Exchanges for people-to-people relations; and
10) Higher Education Programme and Research partnership.”Both of us agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be put in place to formalize the cooperation between our two countries in the above areas.
Minister Silman proposed for officials from both countries to discuss and finalize the MOU for signing before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties 28th Session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, scheduled for 30 November to 12 December 2023′, the Minister said”.
Ms Silman also invited PNG to participate at the Israeli Innovation Hubs Pavilion on the margins the UNFCCC conference.Minister Paita said lsrael is global leader on the cutting edge of technology and innovation,with a strong and secure national economy.
“Papua New Guinea should be serious in this partnership so that we can learn from Israel’s development experience, expertise, knowledge and capabilities in the pursuit of our own development aspirations”, Minister Paita said.
The Minister also took the opportunity to brief Ms Silman on the newly launched Marape-Rosso Government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV 2023-2027, and the Government’s desire to partner with friendly countries, Development Partners, Non-Government Agencies, and the international corporate community in its implementation.Minister Silman reaffirmed the Israeli Government’s commitment to supporting the PNG Government in its effort and endeavours to develop the country and improve the quality of lives of the people.
She said Israel has developed a lot of capabilities in the areas discussed and these could be shared with the people of PNG under the bilateral relationship.Mr Paita noted that as a Nation, Papua New Guinea cannot aford to forgo such opportunities.
“Israel has offered to help us with the implementation of the MTDP IV and the Marape-Rosso Government is committed to working with the Government of Israel and its people to develop a strong, vibrant, and practical relationship that is mutually beneficial. I have therefore instructed my department to develop the MOU in consultation with key Government agencies and the PNG UN Permanent Mission and have it finalized before end of August 2023”, Minister said.
Minister Paita said he expected the support of every agency of government and of his colleagues in advancing this strategic and critical partnership.
Authorised for Release byHON. RAINBO PAITA MPMinister for Finance and Planning20th July, 2023
