PRIME Minister James Marape has urged those that gathered during the United Nations Day in Port Moresby to transform words into actions.
He said: “This must be underpinned by our collective commitments; supportive resources that are affordable, accessible and timely; and with enhanced opportunities, that will assist us all, to provide our people’s basic needs, restore their trust and confidence in governments, heal our lands and ecosystems to deliver the future we want, as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda and many of our own development aspirations.
The PM said this when pointing out that it has been has been a wonderful 47 years of Papua New Guinea to have development partnership with the United Nations and all development partners
He said United Nations birthed the unity of all nations, great and small alike, to be guided by the common agenda.
The Prime Minister also elaborated on the importance of multilateral relationship that PNG and the UN foster.
“I would like to restate my speech given at the UN General Assembly held recently and it is that the United Nations theme of an integrated agenda for peace, prosperity and sustainability through multilateralism is most needed today. We must build on the good foundations laid by your predecessors and all of us. This is given the turmoil, uncertainty, mistrust, pain and suffering, from multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the worsening climate crisis, escalating socio-economic challenges, and conflicts tearing us apart,” he said.
The PM also highlighted on how the country will align the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the national priorities.
He said in 2015, Papua New Guinea took strong ownership and integrated the SDGs into the national planning frameworks, that is the Medium-Term Development Plan III (2018-2022), and introduced National Strategy for Responsible Sustainable Development (StaRS) and legislated National Responsible Planning and Monitoring Act in 2016.
“However, since 2000, notable progress was made in Health (Goal 3), Education (Goal 4), Climate Actions (SDG 13), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17),” the PM said.
“In terms of implementing, the MTDP III was the first of the three national delivery mechanisms of the SDGs. The National Development Budget is significant to fund SDGs and MTDP III through the Capital Investment Programme. The Development Cooperation Policy 2018-2022 provides protocol for development partners to align to national priorities.
“We must be reminded that it is important to gather today to emphasise on the importance of shared values and common policies as a basis for sustainable development and sustaining peace. The meaningful partnerships between my Government of today and Development Partners are evident in their active engagements in the localisation of the SDGs and the MTDP III.
“Leaving no one behind (LNOB) has been the focus and we will continue work on bridging this development gap. Often forgotten are the marginalised and most-vulnerable groups of people.
“That is why the 2030 Agenda includes a commitment to leave no one behind. That is why we need to work together to find solutions that are sustainable and durable, and that recognise our interdependence – with each other, and with all life on Earth.
“This is why we gather here to celebrate the United Nations Day, discuss the development gaps and find a sustainable solution to achieving this common goal together.
“Thank you, United Nations in Papua New Guinea and our Development Partners, and I once again wish all of us a “Happy United Nations Day”.”
