Prime Minister James Marape has announced the official establishment of the PNG Country Package Secretariat for Forest, Nature and Climate under the Department of Prime Minister.
The initiative, endorsed by the National Executive Council at the end of 2025, follows Papua New Guinea’s active engagement in global climate forums and its push for stronger climate solutions.
Prime Minister Marape said the move reinforces the government’s commitment to whole-of-government coordination, improved accountability and effective delivery, positioning the Country Package as a key pillar of PNG’s development framework.
“The Department of Prime Minister will now assume full responsibility for leadership and coordination of the PNG Country Package. It will work closely with line agencies, provincial governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector and customary landowners and community leaders,” he said.
He described the transition as the start of a new phase focused on implementation, scale and measurable impact.
The Prime Minister said the initiative aims to deliver tangible benefits, including stronger forest and biodiversity protection, improved livelihoods for rural and forest-dependent communities, enhanced climate resilience, sustainable economic pathways and greater international recognition of PNG’s environmental leadership.
The PNG Country Package is built around five priority areas:
- Expanding protected areas to cover 30 percent of land and marine spaces,
- Improving forest management and governance across the sector,
- Strengthening sustainable financing for climate, forest and nature outcomes,
- Supporting environmental research and education, and
- Enhancing monitoring and reporting systems.
Prime Minister Marape thanked the European Union and the Government of France, led by Emmanuel Macron, for their continued partnership and investment in climate and forest initiatives.
EU Ambassador to PNG Erika Hasznos reaffirmed the EU’s €54 million (over K220 million) investment under the European Union Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity (EU-FCCB) program, which began in 2023 and will conclude in 2027.
France has also launched the €15 million SoNG (Solwara na Graun blo Pipol) Project, announced in December 2025, to support biodiversity protection in partnership with local communities.
The project stems from commitments made by President Macron during his 2023 visit to PNG.
Both initiatives are core components of the PNG Country Package and will now be coordinated through the new secretariat.
PNG joins six other countries, Colombia, Peru, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and Gabon in developing Country Package models under the Forest Climate Leaders Partnership.
PNG officially joined the partnership at COP30 and is now an active member.
