The Penrith Panthers have marched into their third consecutive Grand Final with a 32-12 win over the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium on Saturday night. With Viliame Kikau and Dylan Edwards playing starring roles the defending premiers ran away with the game in the second half as Rabbitohs winger Taane Milne was marched for a high tackle on Spencer Leniu. The Panthers have set up a first ever Grand Final against arch-rivals Parramatta and have the opportunity to become the first team since the Roosters in 2018-19 to win back-to-back titles. The Rabbitohs grabbed the early ascendancy on the back of a Lachlan Ilias grubber which forced a line dropout but a sweeping right side raid came up empty when Latrell Mitchell's long pass was called forward. Come the 11th minute and the Panthers got across the line through Izack Tago but the play was called back for Jarome Luai interfering with Ilias as he tried to collect the bouncing ball from a towering Nathan Cleary bomb. Some brilliant play out of dummy half by Damien Cook put Mark Nicholls into a hole a minute later, the prop offloading a pass which rebounded off Liam Martin into the in-goal and Cody Walker pounced for the game's opening try. The Rabbitohs had their second of the night in the 19th minute when late call-up Richard Kennar crossed in the left corner after slick lead-up from Walker, Mitchell and Isaiah Tass. The Panthers were then denied a second time when Luai was ruled to have run behind James Fisher-Harris and obstructed the Bunnies defence and sending a long pass out for winger Charlie Staines to cross. Kikau then became the third Panther to get across the stripe in the 26th minute but he was also called back when replays showed Tago had knocked the ball forward into the back-rower's hands in an offside position. With three minutes remaining in the half the premiers finally had their first try through Api Koroisau, who had started the game on the bench but added plenty of spark when he was injected into the game. The Rabbitohs had a chance to set up for a field goal to take their lead out to seven points inside the final minute but chose to run the ball, a mistake by Campbell Graham landing in the arms of Brian To'o who sprinted 80 metres to score and the Panthers were level at 12-12. Five minutes into the second term the Panthers had the lead when Cleary put in a grubber from close range and Spencer Leniu trailed through to score his sixth try of the season. Cleary's conversion made it 18-12. A magnificent run by Edwards on a kick return in the 55th minute got the Panthers rolling and Luai finished the movement in style with a deft grubber kick for Tago to follow through and score. The game was finished as a contest with 16 minutes to go when Taane Milne was marched for a swinging arm on Leniu and Cleary landed the penalty goal to make it 26-12. From there the Panthers were able to cruise home, Cleary icing the win with a solo try in the closing minutes when he kicked for himself and followed through to touch down.     Source: NRL. com

A new type of cancer therapy that uses a common virus to infect and destroy harmful cells is showing big promise in early human trials, say UK scientists. One patient's cancer vanished, while others saw their tumours shrink. The drug is a weakened form of the cold sore virus - herpes simplex - that has been modified to kill tumours. Larger and longer studies will be needed, but experts say the injection might ultimately offer a lifeline to more people with advanced cancers. Krzysztof Wojkowski, a 39-year-old builder from west London, is one of the patients who took part in the ongoing phase one safety trial, run by the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. He was diagnosed in 2017 with cancer of the salivary glands, near the mouth. Despite surgery and other treatments at the time, his cancer continued to grow. "I was told there was no options left for me and I was receiving end-of-life care. It was devastating, so it was incredible to be given the chance to join the trial." A short course of the virus therapy - which is a specially modified version of the herpes virus which normally causes cold sores - appears to have cleared his cancer. "I had injections every two weeks for five weeks which completely eradicated my cancer. I've been cancer-free for two years now." The injections, given directly into the tumour, attacks cancer in two ways - by invading the cancerous cells and making them burst, and by activating the immune system. About 40 patients have tried the treatment as part of the trial. Some were given the virus injection, called RP2, on its own. Others also received another cancer drug - called nivolumab - as well. The findings, presented at a medical conference in Paris, France, show: Three out of nine patients given RP2 only, which included Krzysztof, saw their tumours shrink Seven out of 30 who had combined treatment also appeared to benefit Side effects, such as tiredness, were generally mild Lead researcher Prof Kevin Harrington told the BBC the treatment responses seen were "truly impressive" across a range of advanced cancers, including cancer of the gullet (oesophagus) and a rare type of eye cancer. "It is rare to see such good response rates in early stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test treatment safety, and they involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments have stopped working," he said. "I am keen to see if we continue to see benefits as we treat increased numbers of patients." It is not the first time scientists have used a virus to fight cancer. The NHS approved a cold-virus-based therapy, called T-Vec, for advanced skin cancer a few years ago. Prof Harrington calls RP2 a souped-up version of T-Vec. "It's had other modifications to the virus so that when it gets into cancer cells it effectively signs their death warrant." Dr Marianne Baker, from Cancer Research UK, said the encouraging findings might change the course of cancer treatment. "Scientists discovered that viruses could help to treat cancer 100 years ago, but it's been challenging to harness them safely and effectively. "This new viral therapy shows promise in a small-scale early trial - now we need more studies to find out how well it works. "Research suggests that combining multiple treatments is a powerful strategy, and virus therapies like this one could become a part of our toolkit for beating cancer." Source: BBC

Newcastle utility Caitlin Moran is a facing a one-game ban over an offensive social media post referencing the Queen’s death. Moran, a former Jillaroos representative and Indigenous All Star, has since been forced to delete the Instagram post, which featured a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. She deleted the comment from her Instagram story approximately eight hours after posting it. The NRL issued Moran with a breach notice on Tuesday and she has five days to respond. “The breach notice proposes a fine equivalent to 25 per cent of her current NRLW contract, wholly suspended, provided she fulfils a number of conditions,” an NRL statement read. “The breach notice also proposes a one match suspension in the NRLW. The fine will be suspended for a period of 12 months to be payable immediately should the code be further breached in that period. “Rugby league is an inclusive game and has a proud and strong relationship with many communities. Regardless of any personal views, all players and officials must adhere to the professional standards expected of them and on this occasion, the public comments made by the player have caused damage to the game. Radio presenter Ray Hadley described the social media post as “perhaps the most reprehensible thing ever seen connected to rugby league”. “I agonised over whether it should be revealed,” he told 4BC. Moran played against the Roosters on Sunday while under investigation. The 25-year-old wasn’t selected for the opening two rounds of the competition but made her season debut in a two-point win over Parramatta in Round 3. The halfback had previously played for Australia in the 2017 World Cup but has yet to feature in the national competition, having suffered an ACL injury in 2018. Source: Fox Sports

The Eels will have the chance to end their 36-year premiership drought next Sunday, after a 24-20 victory over the Cowboys in Friday night’s Preliminary Final confirmed their spot in the Grand Final for the first time since 2009. Back-rower Shaun Lane and winger Maika Sivo were Parramatta’s heroes in the dying stages, both coming up with a series of clutch plays on either side of the ball, to help their side comeback from 20-12 with 25 minutes to play. Front-rower Reagan Campbell-Gillard scored a try either side of half-time, in a game where the sides couldn't be split across the opening 40 minutes, despite the Eels completing just 61 percent of their sets in a half which saw them make eight errors to North Queensland's three. Parramatta's back-rowers Isaiah Papali'i and Shaun Lane both left the field for head injury assessments in the first half, which they passed, while Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo spent 10 minutes in the bin for the should charge which resulted in Papali'i's HIA. While the Cowboys dominated the opening minutes, including a first set which saw them travel 95 metres down field, it was the Eels who struck first after a no-look pass from Mitchell Moses in the face of intense defensive pressure led to Will Penisini scoring. The reply was swift and compelling from Reuben Cotter, who powered over Clinton Gutherson to get his side on the board, although seven minutes later the Cowboys cracked under the pressure of playing a man down and Reagan Campbell-Gillard strolled over. Minutes after he saved a try with a tackle in the corner, Waqa Blake spilled a bomb which led to the Cowboys scoring on the next set through Luciano Leilua, and while Valentine Holmes missed the conversion, his penalty just before half-time ensured scores were tied 12-12 at the break. Back-to-back infringements from the Eels gifted the Cowboys a penalty to take the lead 10 minutes into the second half, and a short time later clean hands from Scott Drinkwater and Holmes put Murray Taulagi over in the corner. Reagan Campbell-Gillard's second four-pointer, and another Moses conversion pulled the Eels back to within two points with 20 minutes to play, and they should have drawn even minutes later when Moses pushed a penalty attempt wide. But it didn't matter in the end. Sivo's try off a brilliant pass from Lane gave the Eels the lead with 15 to play, and from there Parramatta defended their line with everything they had, denying Kyle Feldt a try in the corner and surviving a final set from the Cowboys deep inside attacking territory. Source: NRL.com

Papua New Guinea's low mobile network coverage and consistent power black-outs are hindering the work of emergency doctors as they respond to patients. A recent symposium saw 70 doctors from around PNG meet to discuss the future of emergency medicine, and the topic on innovating data collection was front of mind. President of the PNG Society for Emergency Medicine Dr Gary Nou said that access to up-to-date data around patient care could improve health systems around the country. "We could demonstrate our numbers ... we could demonstrate waiting times ... it was just us using spreadsheets and pushing that along," he said. Source: ABC Pacific

Amid concerns the intensity and frequency of weather events across the Pacific Islands are being exacerbated by climate change, now the region is expected to endure more floods and droughts with La Niña continuing into a third year. The Australian Bureau Of Meteorology's declared this month that the climate pattern would continue into another summer. Australia has felt the force of La Niña for the past two summers, with heavy rainfall and devastating floods in eastern parts of the country. But as the tropical cyclone and wet season approaches, some Pacific nations are expected to bear the brunt with flash flashing possible for western countries. Meanwhile, further east, droughts will persist in low-lying atoll nations closer to the equator such as Kiribati, which has already declared a drought disaster emergency. 'We struggled a lot' While flooding is common in many parts of the Pacific, especially severe La Niña downpours in recent years have been catching towns off guard. Komal Naidu, a restaurant owner in the Fiji town of Ba, watched helplessly as about 60cm of water inundated her business last year. The town was submerged twice in a fortnight after heavy rain burst the Ba River's banks in January. Ms Naidu said the town lost power and six of her staff were left out of work. "All the tables and chairs were damaged, and we had to close the business," she told the ABC's Pacific Beat program. "If it's flooded, sometimes no water facilities are available and we lose power … It's the same situation every time now." [caption id="attachment_27139" align="alignnone" width="719"] Businesses in Fiji's flood-prone areas say they are used to extreme weather but are concerned about what a third La Niña will bring. (Tweet: @fiji_force)[/caption] Many nearby businesses experienced similar hardships. Nehe, who is a senior chef at the Ba Town Café Hub, said it took months for her business to recover and even her home was affected. "Our freezers and coolers were destroyed and at home we lost so many chickens and we lost our vegetables," she said. "It was really bad. It destroyed so many things. We struggled a lot." Triple La Niña 'very devastating' La Niña is an atmospheric phenomenon which shifts warmer water to the western end of the Pacific. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme meteorology and climatology adviser Salesa Nihmei said people need to be vigilant and seek advice from local authorities. He predicted a third La Niña will "really have an impact on some of the Pacific Islands". "We are now heading into tropical cyclone season. This can easily create flooding events in the wet season," Mr Nihmei said. "It's very devastating for those countries that have direct impact." The outlook is particularly concerning for the island country of Kiribati, which declared a state of disaster in June. In recent years, there has been below-average rainfall and not enough clean drinking water for the population. "With another La Niña coming, they will continue to experience low rainfall because all of the rain they usually get at this time of the year will all distributed to the western Pacific," Mr Nihmei said. "Similarly, those countries in the western Pacific will have to be careful, in terms of when there is a low-pressure system or a tropical cyclone." [caption id="attachment_27140" align="alignnone" width="862"] Kiribati is surrounded by water, but the country is grappling with an ongoing drought.(Wikimedia commons: Government of Kiribati (CC BY 3.0))[/caption] Earlier this month, UNICEF warned that the Kiribati drought was at a critical stage, saying malnutrition and other illnesses could mount without access to clean water for hygiene. In June, Australia pledged a further $2 million to support Kiribati to maintain drinking water supply during the state of disaster. The funding aims to go towards the installation of a desalination plant, UNICEF water and sanitation packages, and the deployment of technical advisers with expertise in water and engineering. Sally Rimon, Kiribati's acting national disaster management officer, said the country had received immediate support which would help officials distribute supplies to the most vulnerable communities. However, she said the country was concerned not only about La Niña extending until at least March next year, but also the ongoing impacts of climate change. "We will continue to expect more drought events and other climate-related and climate change impacts and frequent and intense disasters for as long as we live," she said. "Like many other small islands developing states, we are still and will continue to explore methods, solutions and ways to enhance the resilience of our people today and in the years to come." She said desalination plants were being considered as way to provide quality drinking water, but authorities needed to consider their maintenance and impact on the environment. How can the region prepare? Mr Nihmei said while it is part of the natural climate system and  "there's nothing much we can do," the early predictions are helping countries to better prepare. "We are able to provide the information in advance to national met services to warn their sectors and their communities," he said. "Information is provided in advance for everyone to take heed and take action." Lemau Afamasaga, the disaster risk management delegate for the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) North Pacific, said the prediction of a third La Niña is unfortunate for the region but there was clear guidance on how to act. The Red Cross takes technical advice from local meteorological partners and weather services and targets the most vulnerable areas, she said. "We look at where the most vulnerable people are living, and whether they are prone [to extreme weather] or in a location where they could be potentially affected by flash floods," Ms Afamasaga told the ABC. "Then we see, do you have an existing plan to relocate somewhere, and whether it's with a family member? And do you have your first aid kit ready?" They also speak to local partners to ensure there is a safe location to set up an evacuation centre. [caption id="attachment_27141" align="alignnone" width="862"] Ms Afamasaga said the international community can help by assisting with preparedness rather than just focusing on response. (Supplied: Vanuatu Red Cross Society)[/caption] Ms Afamasaga said communication remains a challenge, so the best approach was for communities to establish their own early warning systems on ground. Some communities use a system where they raise a coloured flag up a pole to indicate the risk level, she said. "If the water level gets up to a yellow colour, it means it's still safe, but be prepared," Ms Afamasaga said. "When it gets up to an orange colour, then it means that you got to pack your bags right now and get ready to relocate to another area. "As soon as it gets to red, then that's when it's high risk." Ms Nehe said the locals in the Fiji town of Ba were already taking measures to withstand flooding, but she was still worried what the La Niña will bring. "We'll try our best, we are following the news, we are also giving ideas to each other," she said. "But this is a flood town we are living in so most of the businesses will be affected. We are very worried." Source: ABC News

Thirteen years on from their last preliminary final appearance, the Eels head north to face a Cowboys side out to continue their fairytale run in 2022, which has seen them jump from 15th place last year to now be one win away from the Grand Final. North Queensland will be playing a finals match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the first time since it was opened in 2020, and should be refreshed from the week off they earned by beating the Sharks in golden point back in Finals Week 1. Parramatta meanwhile reignited hopes of their 36-year Premiership drought finally coming to an end when they demolished the Raiders 40-4 in a one-sided semi-final at CommBank Stadium and they are looking to make it through to a decider for the first time since 2009. In their only prior meeting this season the Cowboys ran out 35-4 winners over the Eels, in what was a Parramatta home game in Darwin. Source: NRL.Com

Project Yumi Inc, an Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered not for profit, and Credit Corporation today announced that they have signed a Corporate Sponsorship Agreement for the delivery of Project Wok to 480 Grade 12 students in 2023. In recognition of the major challenge that youth unemployment in PNG is Project Yumi Inc’s Project Wok Program empowers PNG school leavers with sustainable skills that will help them create the foundations they need to build a successful future. Project Wok equips Grade 12 students with strategies to help them transition from the school room to the workforce through an experiential, facilitator led training program that comprises four modules of job search and employment readiness education. Project Yumi Inc Founder, Renee Mero, said that “The Project Yumi team is very excited to see Project Wok launch with the sponsorship of Credit Corporation as we have seen through the pilot program that attending the program can change lives. We look forward to seeing the opportunities that the program creates for its participants in 2023.” “Credit Corporation has a proud 43-year history of supporting local communities, partnering with not for profits and community organisations, and investing in the development of our people. Our sponsorship of Project Wok demonstrates our commitment to do what we can to respond to one of the complex challenges that faces PNG.” said Credit Corporation CEO, Danny Robinson. Head of People & Culture, Loka Niumatairua, proudly explained that Credit Corporation staff have enthusiastically registered to become Volunteer Project Wok facilitators and mentors in their free time. She further stated that Credit Corporation can always rely upon its compassionate staff to support the work that we do in our communities. The staff have a strong social conscience and we always look for opportunities that directly engage our people and contribute to solving social challenges. Project Wok is aimed at Grade 12 students who would not ordinarily undertake further tertiary studies. Those students who do not have access to support in seeking employment opportunities. In addition to the job readiness training, the Project Wok program will also offer the opportunity for its graduates to apply for work experience and internship placement. “We are delighted to announce that Credit Corporation have committed to offering internship placement opportunities for some Project Wok graduates” said Volunteer Project Wok Facilitator, Dawn Robinson.

Digicel PNG Foundation announced its continued partnership with the St John Ambulance at the MoA signing ceremony on 21 September 2022 at the Digicel Headquarters. "Health is one of the key priority areas in our work and over the years we have partnered with NGO’s around the country who are providing life-saving services to some of our most vulnerable people who would otherwise have no access. This year we are proud to partner with St John’s to provide funding assistance to continue their expansion throughout PNG," Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian stated. Digicel Foundation began supporting St John’s in 2020 when it funded two ambulances and paramedics training for its operations in Simbu and Central Provinces respectively. Apart from the contributions of Digicel PNG Foundation, the Digicel business has been a committed supporter of St John’s Ambulance from the initial support it gave in 2015 to supply a toll free emergency hotline as well as PABX and mobile services. Colin Stone, CEO for Digicel PNG who was present at the event stated, “Each year Digicel contributes over 250 000 PGK in value with over K1 million already delivered to support the services of St Johns. This partnership with the Foundation builds on the support that has already been given by the Company and we look forward to St Johns increasing their services across the country.” Digicel PNG Foundation will be funding St John’s with an additional K300 000 bringing its total investment up to K800 000. This support will allow for an additional ambulance and the training of six paramedic staff to continue its life saving work in rural PNG. “An ambulance is just a vehicle, but combining an ambulance with coordination makes it an ambulance service that can save lives and brings confidence to communities,” St John Ambulance CEO, Matt Canon commented. He further stated that a partnership as such helps the ambulance service reach rural and remote communities through the national government, provincial health authorities and district development authorities. “Reaching the patient quickly, efficiently, and reliably requires reliable communication and coordination systems. Coordinating ambulances nationally is possible with Digicel because of their broad national reach in all 22 provinces of PNG.” Mr Canon added. To date Digicel PNG has invested over K162million into health and education projects in all the 89 districts of PNG as part of its mission to ensure that no one gets left behind.

It is my honour and privilege to, again, join and address this August Hall. On my Government and people’s behalf, I congratulate you, Mr President, and the Government and people of Hungary, on your election to preside over the new term of the General Assembly’s work and wish you well. Your presidency’s 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 crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the worsening climate crisis, escalating socio-economic challenges, and conflicts tearing us apart. Let us transform words into actions. 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. Mr. President, let me pay tribute to your predecessor, a fellow Small Island Developing State representative, His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Shahid, of Maldives, for his outstanding “presidency of hope” that has renewed our collective resolve to turn the tide against the ravages of the pandemic and other evolving challenges. We wish him well. May I also convey my delegation’s gratitude to Mr. Secretary-General, for his continued strong leadership and untiring efforts in rallying the world to save ourselves and to provide a future that is much better, safer and secure for all, including for succeeding generations. The candid yet sobering report presented by the Secretary-General to us at this meeting on the state of our world today, is deeply troubling. The clarion call from the Secretary-General must not go unheeded. We must all do our part and act decisively, now, for our collective good. Otherwise, the alternative is to condemn ourselves to a future of doom and gloom. Is that what our children deserve? It is with this in mind that Papua New Guinea is supportive of the Secretary-General’s narrative of “Our Common Agenda”. We welcome the preliminary progress made to better understand the range of defining issues and how we address this effectively to help deliver on the SDGs promise to improve our people’s lives and livelihoods whilst also protecting common environment better. To this end, we applaud the Secretary-General for convening the Transforming Education Summit. We are pleased to note the shared recognition of education as the cornerstone for a prosperous, stable and secure future for all. I know that an educated society is an informed society that stands to make better decisions. For my country, education is a key priority and is guided by our education policy of “leave no child behind”, supported by our Education Sector Development Plan 2023-2027. It is a holistic and inclusive approach in ensuring focus on quality lifelong education for all and with special attention given to the most vulnerable and marginalized population and recognizing the importance of multi stakeholder participation. A demonstration of this strong commitment for education is my Government’s decision to provide free-education for all, up to Grade 12 and beyond and also providing opportunities to children, youth and adults through Flexible Open and Distance Education and community colleges to upskill their capacity to be entrepreneurs and nation builders. We also welcome the consensus reached for the “Summit of the Future”, scheduled for September 2024, to find solutions to the multiple crisis we are now facing. This should, however, be not defined by the lowest common denominator but rather be more ambitious yet realistic and workable. We remain committed to engage in this process, because it provides an opportunity for us to also draw parallels with our national efforts to attain our National Vision 2050. I am pleased to inform this Assembly that the COVID-19 pandemic and other stressors, including supply-chain difficulties and development financing challenges, affecting my country has spurred my Government to embark on our own similar national process to the Secretary-General’s global efforts under “Our Common Agenda”. This is where we have taken stock of our own domestic development challenges and we have set in place key policies and legislative measures, including reforms in important sectors and development priorities, and tied to our budget cycle under the Medium-Term Development Plan. This path if walked upon would make PNG a middle income earning nation by 2050 as envisioned by our nation’s Vision 2050. Mr President, I report to United Nations that the core focuses of my Government for the next 5 years will be to build a resilient and diversified economy, invest in high quality economic and social infrastructure, ensure fair and equitable natural resources development, address business and investment confidences, strengthening the rule of law and domestic security, deliver quality education and health to all and strengthening the Institutions of State including governance. These are fundamental building blocks of my country that should contribute towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development as proposed by yourself, Mr. President. As PNG approach our 50th Independence Anniversary in 3-years time, my Government is also prioritizing industrializing our economy through import-substitution, value-adding and downstream processing of our natural resources with the use of modern clean green technology that will not compromise my country’s rich biodiversity and our pristine natural environment for PNG is documented to have about 5 to 6 % of world”s biodiversity and our huge tropical rainforest third behind Congo and the Amazon areas of our Earth. We therefore welcome genuine and appropriate foreign investors to join us in in partnership in various sectors of our renewable resources development and I assure them of a fair, equitable and secure returns on their investments. Mr. President, while we note the global community’s calls for domestic revenue sources to be expanded and better harnessed for development financing, we also recognise that the existing global economic and financial architecture is weighed against developing countries like mine. This structure needs to be changed to better support our development needs. Least we forget, many times small developing countries get to bear the brunt of global economic and social woes that they have no hand engendering. In this spirit, I also join the calls from fellow Small Island Developing States (SIDS) for their development financing needs to be considered by taking into account their environmental, economic and social dimensions of vulnerability rather than the Gross National Income measure alone, which is no longer suitable. We therefore urge the international community to support the proposed SIDS Multi Vulnerability Index (MVI) as a tool to support SIDS concessional financing and debt relief given their special circumstances amidst the ongoing increasing challenges, they continue to face for their development needs including food securities that our good Secretary General alluded to. Mr President, today, many parts of the world are facing food insecurity, hunger and poverty and Papua New Guinea can be a country of food production. PNG’s 8 million people live in a land mass of 464,840 km2 and our country has rain and water abundance with our seas equally is food  source like our supply of tuna to Asia and Europe. Comparing for instance United Kingdom of Great Britain’s 24,610 km2 or Japan’s 377, 975 km2 or Philipine’s 300,000 km2, PNG have enough land, sea and people to be a food supplier to the world, Mr Secretary General in response to your concerns for global food security. For the first time in our country, my Government has inserted efforts to address this imminent problem by placing more emphasis on in the agriculture sector. This is viewed not only as a revenue source for our economy but also a conduit to empower the majority of our rural communities through introduction of innovative farming methods in cash crop production, livestock and poultry, to take ownership and leadership of their development needs and livelihoods and at the same time also foster poverty alleviation and food security. It is from this perspective that we have established new ministerial portfolios for Oil Palm, Coffee and Livestock that will assist us cater better not only for needs of the majority of our rural communities and their local economies to be integrated into the national and global markets to improve their lives and livelihood but be the source for food security and hunger and poverty alleviation for other countries. We therefore welcome new international development partners to work with us in the agriculture sector, particularly in the downstream processing of products that adds value and supports local communities and the country. On climate change, Mr. President, as the world prepares for COP27 and despite the rallying efforts of the global community including through the pledges under the Paris Agreement to cut emission levels, the world remains on fire. This is further compounded by destructive floods and rising sea levels that continue to inundate and adversely affect coastal communities, including displacement and loss of identity as a people, in my own country and across the Pacific region and beyond, as the carbon emission level continues its destructive spiral out of control. We cannot and must not allow this to continue. I again reiterate my call last year, to this august Hall. My country, as one of the largest standing pristine tropical rainforest of the world, is one of the few carbon positive countries in the world.  We remove more carbon than we emit.  Over the past 5 years or so, we have reduced national forest emissions by 53 percent.  This totals over 75 million tonnes of UN verified sovereign credits REDD+ credits that will be on the market by the end of this year. My Government has updated our Climate Management Act and this year set in place Nationally Determined Contribution regulation. We now have the legislation needed to implement the Paris Agreement. We have also endorsed our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Implementation Plan and NDC Electricity Roadmap and Agriculture, Forestry and other Landuse NDC Roadmap. We are also drafting our first Electric Vehicle Policy and working towards endorsing our National Adaptation Plan. It is, however, disheartening to note that despite our proactive national efforts to implementing our Paris Agreement commitment, we seem to continue to get the raw end of the deal. We have done our part.  But we have had little support from the global north, including for our submissions to the Green Climate Fund. But we have not lost hope despite the fact that REDD+ and Forest Nations were forgotten in Glasgow. We cannot be placated by toothless pledges. We need the power of sovereign carbon markets that fully comply with the Paris Agreement. The world cannot talk about climate change without talking about forest conservations and proper land use managements. PNG is calling for an urgent global focus on conservation, preservation and sustainability of our global forests with proper land use practices because only in our dear trees of the forests that you find the dual benefit of carbon cleansing and oxygen production. I was given the privilege of meeting His Majesty King Charles 111and he views forest the same as I am mentioning here and that the world, especially those whose carbon footprints over mother earth is the greatest must help preserve forests of earth that commensurate their level of emissions. It is Papua New Guinea’s humble view that the atmospheric balance of Oxygen and Carbon should be ranked the number on focus of all mankind because their in lays the sustenance of life and the dear trees of our forests plays this balance act as created by the Creator God. The world must save our forest because not to do so is suicidal for the Earth’s future. This is something we must correct at COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh. Let us not forget that there is more carbon stored in the worlds forest than held in all known coal, oil and gas reserves. In short, if we lose our rainforest, climate stability is impossible. We may as well kiss the temperature goal of 1.5 degrees goodbye. We and other rainforest nations are trying our best to balance forest harvest for our development needs and conserving for our world. We need help here, hear us.  Our planet is fragile. Time is short.  Together, we can do this. On my final point on climate change, given increasing adverse impact of climate change on our communities, I would also like to echo Papua New Guinea’s strong support for our Melanesian neighbor, Vanuatu’s initiative to seek ICJ Advisory Opinion on this existential threat, and welcome others to join the Pacific, Caribbean and other partners to take this forward for our common good. On the ocean agenda, Mr. President, I would reaffirm that Papua New Guinea as a maritime nation, is strongly committed to ensuring our maritime zones remain safe, secure and peaceful, under the spirit of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It not only provides us economic opportunities including through our fisheries resources but also symbolizes our ties with the ocean. Like other Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, Papua New Guinea calls on developed nations to assist us access appropriate capacity building resources, research, science and technology and finance to strengthen our national efforts to better protect our ocean and harness ocean-based economy. We therefore welcome public-private partnership. On SDG 14, it was pleasing to note the success of the Second UN Ocean Conference. We are also encouraged by the welcome offer by France and Costa Rica to be the next co-host of the Conference and look forward to working together with likeminded countries to take forward this initiative. Such partnerships on the ocean agenda is most welcomed. Mr. President, I would also like to applaud the sterling efforts under the leadership and presidency of Singapore for last month’s negotiations related to the new implementing instrument on the conservation and sustainable use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and as marine nation we offer our full support.  A resounding call we continue to hear, loud and clear, and repeatedly, and rightly so, is the importance of empowering youth to be at the table of decision-making about their lives and livelihoods and as real partners for national development. This is indeed long overdue and must be brought to fruition without further delay. In recognition of the ever-increasing youth bulge in the country and the challenges they continue to face, under my Government’s development priorities, youth is now front and center for nation building. We are rolling out cadetship program as a tool for capacity building and training that will equip them to be owners, drivers, leaders and entrepreneurs to build forward our nation. We are also using our education system as a lever to foster integral human development for our youth. We welcome development partners to join us in this transformative endeavor. Mr. President, it is in this spirit that Papua New Guinea was pleased to be a main sponsor and strong supporter of the establishment of a Youth Office in the UN Secretariat. It was also pleasing to note the consensus on this issue. While we recognize that much more work remains to be done, however, once operationalized, we look forward to harnessing the UN Youth Office to support our national efforts on the youth agenda. The potential of our youth was well recognized by Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, and the Youth Special Envoy, during their groundbreaking visit to my country in March 2020. Mr. President, on gender equality and empowerment, including combating gender-based violence this remains a top priority for my Government. We have established a bipartisan Parliamentary Committee that has done extensive public consultations and the recommendations made to the last Parliament will taken up by this Parliament in a serious way to address better protection of our women and girls and give them fair and just opportunities to reach their full potential.  We have also put in place legislation and policies to address concerns related to gender equality, empowerment and combat gender-based violence. Additionally, we are pleased to have two new well qualified women parliamentarians join our 11th Parliament, an improvement from our last Parliament, where there were no women Parliamentarians. I have also recognized their capabilities and professionalism and tasked them with certain responsibilities for the country. We will continue to work hard to have more women representatives in decision-making bodies, as equal development partners. Mr. President, I would like to join the call for global peace and stability. The simmering tensions and mistrust, which are the nemesis of peace, cannot and must not be allowed to fester anymore. We as members of this United Nations took it upon ourselves to uphold the Charter of the United Nations. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to ensure that we are seen to uphold our commitments to the UN Charter. In our context of the Bougainville peace process, I want to assure this meeting that this important issue remains a top priority for us.  Peace by peaceful means underpins this national priority. We have a Roadmap that continues to serve as a blueprint and we will consider all issues under the existing parameters of our Constitution, for a lasting and peaceful solution that is acceptable to all Papua New Guineans. We would like to thank United Nations for their role in Bougainville and the Melanesian conflict resolution model can be replicated in other politically conflicted countries. On the reforms of the Security Council, Mr. President, to make it relevant to today’s realities, we note the incremental progress that continues to be made in the inter-governmental process. However, let me again reiterate our call to expedite the long drawn out process by ensuring that we have a negating document that can serve as a basis to go forward. May I also take this opportunity to recognize the milestone achievement, earlier this year, of the General Assembly holding the members of the Security Council responsible for their decisions regarding peace and security. We welcomed and supported the Emergency Special Session measure invoked under General Assembly with respect to the situation in Ukraine and to ensure the Security Council is accountable for their actions. The success that arose from this process is a small but significant step to why the reform of the Security Council is necessary and cannot be prolonged further. In closing, and not the least, Mr. President, may I take this opportunity to pay homage to the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second, who by the grace of God and Lord Jesus, was PNG’s Head of State for 47 years. Our beloved Queen personified grace, dignity,  honesty, humility, tolerance of others, forgives and all other Christian virtues and lived 70 years of consistent unfailing life of public service, some lessons we leaders of the world must learn to practice. I on behalf of my Papua New Guinea pay our respects to Mama Kwin as we affectionately call her. May her soul rest in peace with her Maker Jesus. , . We share our heartfelt sympathies and Condolences to now King Charles 111 and her royal family. Let me conclude by thanking you Mr President for speaking opportunity on a very appropriate theme contemporary to our shared global need and I thank United Nations for one more time being a wonderful host, in fact a milestone 77th session. May God bless the united Natiions of our world. I thank you Mr. President.

The Nasfund Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tamzin Wardley as the Fund’s new Chairperson from the 1st October 2022. Ms. Wardley has over 20 years of Financial and corporate governance experience and has been an independent director on the Board since 2017. She is currently Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Fund’s Investment Committee. In welcoming this appointment, the Board acknowledged the leadership of the outgoing Chairman, Charles Vee and thanked him for oversighting balance sheet growth, year on year profitability, focus on member services and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders during his tenure since June 2019. Despite economic challenges and Covid19 impacts, under Mr. Vee’s watch, fund membership grew by 9.4% to over 640,000 contributors while annual crediting rates averaging 5.7% and equating to over K898 million were paid to member superannuation accounts since 2019. The Fund also rebranded its corporate image as part of its positioning for the future with the tag line, “Ready for tomorrow”. Charles Vee was appointed to the Board in July 2016 as an Independent Director and initially served as Chairman Remuneration & Nomination Committee, Deputy Chairman and Chairman since June 2019. Charles Vee said, “I am satisfied with the role I have played in leading the Board and Nasfund to where we want it to be today and into the future. The change in the Board leadership, now under Tamzin Wardley, a naturalized citizen and long term PNG resident, ensures continuity and stability on the way forward. Our primary mandate of ensuring safety and security of members’ funds is paramount but there are investment opportunities on the horizon we are interested in that not only provides an adequate return for members but contributes to nation building.” Mr. Vee remains on the Board as an ordinary director and will oversee implementation of specific strategic projects currently in the pipeline.

“Our current school curriculum leans heavily towards academics,” observed ChildFund Senior Project Officer Mcleen Pikachu. “There is not much on social relationships and character development.” Mr Pikachu shared these reflections with UNFPA during a one-day consultation on the implementation of a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum. The consultation was conducted with support from the National Department of Education and Family Planning New South Wales, as part of the Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls. “We want a future where our future generations have respectful relations and are respectful to the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Mr Pikachu. “I want to see people having healthy relationships and believe with the introduction of comprehensive sexuality education, we can tackle this issue. Comprehensive Sexuality Education - sometimes called Family Life Education, or Character and Social Development - includes scientifically accurate and age-appropriate information about human development, anatomy and reproductive health. This education includes discussions about family life, relationships, culture and gender roles, and also addresses human rights, gender equality, bodily autonomy and threats such as discrimination, sexual abuse and violence. “The sustainability of this curriculum is the biggest challenge that I see,” shared Mr. Pikachu. “This process is currently tied to sponsored projects. What happens after the project ends? Will the schools, especially tertiary schools, carry it on?” UNFPA, in partnership with the National Department of Education and Family Planning NSW, and with support from the Spotlight Initiative, is continuing consultations on the curriculum to ensure that it is fit-for-purpose for Papua New Guinean classrooms. About the Spotlight Initiative The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the United Nations which has received generous support from the European Union. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. In Papua New Guinea, Spotlight is implemented by UNFPA, UN Women, UNDP and UNICEF across 11 provinces. The Programme works to address gaps between legislation, sub-national institutions and service delivery, in addition to addressing the causes of violence in promoting behavior change and respectful relationships. Spotlight was launched in 2020 and will conclude in December 2023.