NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has hosted a special dinner for the Members of Eminent Group at the New Ireland Executive Lodge earlier this week.
The Members include; former ambassador to Brussels and Japan and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Ambassador Gabriel Dusava, former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Ms. Winnie Kiap and Foreign Service Officer Ms. Lucy Efi.
Acting New Ireland Provincial Administrator Mr. Richard Andia, CEO Economic sector Mr. Edward Lasisi, CEO Subsidy Ms. Mactil Bais and CEO Public Relations, Media and Protocol Ms. Meredith Kuusa braced the occasion.
The delegation was in the province to gauge views from the Provincial Government and stakeholders; schools, private sector and non-government organizations on PNG’s Foreign Policy White paper.
While welcoming the team at the dinner, Sir J said the review of the Foreign Policy is significant as it looks at building and strengthening foreign relations and building international reputation.
Under Sir J’s leadership as Prime Minister in 1981, his cabinet endorsed and presented to Parliament the first Foreign Policy White Paper (FPWP) in 1982 under the Foreign Policy theme: ‘Active and Selective Engagement’.
Since then, PNG has been managing its International Relations under the ‘Active and Selective’ policy with the following emphasis by successive governments:
- Independent Commitment to International Cooperation, 1985 – 1988 (Wingti Government)
- Economic Aspects of Active and Selective Engagement, 1988 – 1992 (Namaliu Government)
- Look North, 1992 – 1994 (Wingti Government)
- Look North, But Work the Pacific, 1994 – 2016 (Chan Government)
- Reinforcing our Core Relations, 1996 (Foreign Minister Genia)
- Connect PNG, 2017 – 2022 (Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato)
New Ireland is one of seven provinces including, Milne Bay, Manus, East new Britain, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Western Province that have been consulted by the team on the review of PNG’s Foreign Policy White Paper.
