SP PNG Hunters have committed to making improvements to enhance their on-field performances when they resume from a bye in the 2022 QRL Hostplus Cup. As part of a regular review of the Hunters’ progress, SP PNG Hunters Chairman Stan Joyce CSM and Director Jeremy Edwards have met with CEO Scott Barker and Head Coach Matt Church to discuss the Hunters’ performance. It was also an opportunity to ensure the club’s long-term strategic plan remains on track and that agreed targets are being met. The meeting acknowledged that this season’s results have not met the expectations of the club, which tasted premiership success in 2017. However, the meeting agreed that the club would continue working hard towards its long-term goal of sustained success for the SP PNG Hunters in the QRL competition.

A three-day Sexual Offences Squad (SOS) reflections workshop was held recently in Port Moresby with a view to improving investigations and prosecution of sex crimes. The workshop, held at the Koitaki Country Club in Sogeri, on the outskirts of Port Moresby, was attended by the members of the Sexual Offence Squad of Boroko, Police prosecutors, a State prosecutor from the Office of the Public Solicitor of PNG and Advisors from the Papua New Guinea Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP). The workshop was hosted by the Justice Services and Stability for Development (JSS4D) Program and led by Advisor Tevita Seruilumi and fully supported and funded under the Papua New Guinea Australian Partnership program in its priority areas to improve access to justice and help protection for survivors of family and sexual violence. Mr Seruilumi said the workshop is a combination of reflection on the work of the SOS and to learn about some new areas they can improve on together as a group from prosecutions and investigations. “Often when you do this work, it is not just exhaustive but also very traumatising and it impacts you. “Not many people value and recognise the work of the CID and prosecutions, so this is one way to say thank you and also continue our learning,” Mr Seruilumi said. The workshop was put together to reflect on the work of the SOS for the past three years and discuss the issues that arise as challenges, what currently works, and how they can improve in carrying out their duties diligently. Police Prosecutor and Officer in Charge (OIC) Committal Court Sergeant Chris Iga said it was important that as prosecutors they know and understand how they would charge people committing sexual offenses, which relates to gender-based violence within the family circle, any organisation or the general public. He said already on day one they had learnt a lot on topics surrounding sexual penetration of a minor, persistent sexual abuse, what kind of charges they can lay, understanding the concepts of why these laws have been changed or done away with such as the rule of corroboration, and the consent aspect of it. Day one saw the participants paired into groups of two, with an exercise for crime scene identification, and search for elements that helped stimulate team work with a collaborative effort. The workshop started on Thursday April 27 and ended on Saturday April 30, 2022.

A week-long capacity development training for Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) National Adaptation Plan for Southern and Highlands Regions concluded on Friday, paving the way for mainstreaming and upscaling climate change adaptation in sectoral and provincial plans. Hosted by Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), the training targeted managerial and technical staff in national, provincial and sectoral institutions such as agriculture, transport, infrastructure and health. “What we expect from this training is the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation within the planning processes and the structures in their provincial administration plans, and within the sectors”, said Jonah Auka, Projects and Adaptation Manager of CCDA. The training was administered using a climate change module on Climate Change and Adaptation (CCA) developed by UPNG Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development with support of the Ministry for Environment and Conservation and Climate Change through CCDA and with technical and funding support from UNDP. The CCA module is designed to support knowledge on the integration of adaptation planning for PNG and will contribute immensely to teaching, learning and understanding of climate change impacts, climate change adaptation planning strategies for PNG in reaching its sustainable development goals. Over fifty participants from key government agencies, stakeholders and development partners, and provincial representatives from Highlands and Southern Regions successfully participated in the training. UNDP Chief Technical Advisor Dr. Andrew Rylance highlighted the training as a significant step for PNG to adapt to impacts of climate change. “UNDP is pleased to support this great initiative led by CCDA and I would also like to thank UPNG for developing the training module and delivering the training. “UNDP has a long history of supporting climate action in PNG and this training is another example of how mainstreaming climate change into national, provincial and sectoral planning can help the country effectively adapt to the long-term impacts of climate change, said Dr. Rylance. The training concluded with awarding of certificates to the participants who have successfully participated in the five-days capacity building training. CCDA General Manager for Adaptation and Projects Mr. Jacob Ekinye thanked all participants on behalf of CCDA and encouraged them for their collaborative efforts in the implementation of the National Action Plan. “We are in this business of addressing climate change together. From the training, I know, you will bring it up to your respective organizations and factor climate change in your planning and development budget. “Let’s work together going forward. On behalf of the CCDA’s Acting Managing Director Mr. William Lakain, I thank you all for your participation. “I also acknowledge the support of UNDP and UPNG Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development for the partnership in delivering this event”, said Mr. Ekinye.

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is grateful for the return of international rugby league after a two-year absence. PNGRFL Board Chairman Mr Sandis Tsaka said: "We acknowledge the support of the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) for supporting the mid-year international matches for the Pacific nations this year." With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) scheduled for later this year, the PNG LNG Kumuls are looking forward to the mid-year test as an opportunity to build our national team’s preparations towards the World Cup. The PNG LNG Kumuls and the Fiji Batis have had a great Melanesian rivalry over the last few years and this year’s international meet will be another exciting chapter in this story. The resignation of long-time PNG LNG Kumuls Coach Michael Marum as well as the retirement of key players over the last two years, will provide a great opportunity for new players to continue to build on the great success that the national men’s rugby league team has had over the last 8 years. The PNGRFL is completing the process for the appointment of the new Kumuls’ Head Coach with the announcement to be made later next week. The extended PNG LNG Kumuls’ squad for the mid-year test will be finalized by the new Head Coach and the PNG national selectors. "With the wide pool of talented PNG players playing in the NRL, the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and the New South Wales Rugby League Competition (NSWRLC), the PNGRFL is confident that the Kumuls will assemble a strong team for the mid-year test in preparation towards the buildup to the 2021 RLWC in England," Mr Tsaka said.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said his team “lacked any quality or execution” after they gave away another lead allowing the Warriors to steal victory in the second half. The team from the nation’s capital led 20-12 after the first half, but went down 21-20 after veteran playmaker Shaun Johnson slotted a field goal. The Raiders have now lost five games in a row and have lost seven out of eight second halves, being outscored 107-38 in the final 40 minutes of games. When asked how he saw the clash in the post-match press conference, Stuart slammed his team, taking a subtle dig at the Warriors. “Yeah that whole second half was undisciplined, lacked any quality or execution, it was just very disappointing,” Stuart said. “I am glad they were as bad as us.” The Raiders coach also took the time to apologise to fans of the Canberra side, who have a reputations of having a loyal supporter base. “Publicly I am lost for comment in regard of the quality of that performance in the second half and for any loyal fan and any real fan we have got left it, I feel really embarrassed and sorry for them,” Stuart said. Making matters worse for Stuart, he now faces at least two weeks without five-eighth Jack Wighton after he was charged with a Grade 2 dangerous throw on Reece Walsh. Wighton will be sidelined for three games if he fights the charge and is found guilty at the panel. When asked if there is something he can single out as the issue for the Raiders, Stuart kept his cards close to his chest. “Mate I can put my finger on it, but as I said from a public point of view it is not something that I need to discuss here at a press conference,” Stuart said. Raiders captain Jack Wighton said his side giving away a second-half lead is becoming “too common”. ‘We shot ourselves in the foot massively again,” he said. “It’s become too common. We’ve got to find a way to become winners again. At the moment we keep letting it slip. I’m a little bit lost for words and it’s something we have to look at tomorrow and we have to move on fast. “It’s no secret we have to stick together and go again. It’ll be too hard if we start looking at each other now, so that’s something we’re looking forward to doing this week.” As it stands, the Raiders are sitting 15th on the competition ladder after eight rounds, sitting above only the Bulldogs who have recorded a single win in 2022. SOURCE: FOX SPORTS

Besides offering several courses and conducting research in various aspects of renewable energy, The University of the South Pacific has been resolute in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022 highly ranked USP on its contribution toward SDGs achievements. USP submitted data for the following SDGs in November 2021 for the 2022 rankings: SDG17: Partnership for the Goals; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The results revealed USP’s overall score of 70 out of 100 and an Overall Rank of 401-600 out of 1406 institutions. Regarding SDG 7, the University was among the first to establish a grid-connected PV system in Fiji and has assisted remote communities in improving their livelihoods by using renewable energy. USP, in a joint project with the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), produced a 45-kilowatt grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) system, a full-fledged contributor to the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) grid. It is located at the University's Marine Campus in Suva and the project is the largest in Fiji. The PV electricity generated from the system is first supplied to the Marine Campus and any excess power is exported to the FEA grid. In addition, the University has developed training programmes for regional grid-connected PV installers and designers to help sustain the renewable energy sector in the region. It also contributed through community outreach for energy efficiency in local communities. It assisted start-ups that foster and support low-carbon technology and other innovative measures implemented to encourage an energy-efficient university. “Our community projects include solar water pumping for remote schools and solar-powered refrigeration for fishing communities," says USP's Associate Professor of Engineering and Physics, Dr Atul Raturi. “Our staff have been actively involved in supporting national and regional policy development in the area of renewable energy. Some examples include Fiji’s Low Carbon Development Strategy report, National Communications to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Framework for Energy Security and Resilience in the Pacific. National and regional capacity development has also been one of our main activities. USP staff have represented the Pacific region in various regional and international forums dealing with SDG 7,” he added. For the University, Professor Raturi attested that sustainable development of the Pacific region was “the thread that runs through all the things we do and research”. “As Pacific Island countries plan to fulfil their Nationally Determined Commitments, renewable energy development will be critical and USP is well poised to provide support and advice to member countries while building regional human capacity,” Dr Raturi said. Dr Raturi went on to say that USP was proud to have carried out several community projects where solar energy was used to provide clean water and refrigeration services. "USP, as a Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific agency and regional higher education provider, has the mandate and responsibility to conduct relevant research and produce innovative ideas to help build an energy secure and resilient Pacific region,” he said. "The Impact Rankings proves that the University has been doing that and beyond," Dr Raturi added.

THE Active City Development Program (ACDP) has shared important information and strategies with a Parliamentary delegation from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on how to mobilise and make their women folks and youths be health conscious and take personal responsibility for their behavioural choices in life. Women rights advocate and NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop hosted a lunch meeting in Parliament on Friday 22nd, April 2022 with the visiting delegation led by ABG’s Deputy Speaker and Women’s Representative for South Bougainville, Therese Kaeravara and her North Bougainville counterpart, Amanda Mason. The meeting was also attended by ACDP Director, Fazilah Bazari, PNG Women Council’s Dorothy Tekwie, Ms Immaculate Javia, First Secretary to Governor Parkop’s Office and Ms Beatrice Taleu of United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The ABG Parliamentarians were in town with their President Ishmael Toroama for a Joint Supervisory Body Meeting with Prime Minister, James Marape and his Cabinet members. Committing his Social Democratic Party’s support to the Peace Agreement and their right to self-determination, Governor Parkop said he used sports-both competitive and non-competitive-as a vehicle to transform the mind-set of the people including having the right infrastructures for sporting tournaments in the City. He partly credited infrastructure developments in the city to the hosting of the 2015 Pacific Games, FIFA under 20, the Rugby League World Cup and many more. However, he said not everyone can be champion sportsmen and women and that the Active City program supports other more holistic exercises that are inclusive to everyone. Drawing from the success of ACDP in the city, Governor Parkop urged the women leaders not only to use sports but also initiate other activities and programs that are non-competitive, accessible and inclusive. Thanking Governor Parkop for his continuous advocacy in the space of female rights, Deputy Speaker Kaeravara said she was well pleased with the outcome of the meeting. In an interview, she said the purpose of her meeting was to draw lessons from initiatives Governor Parkop champions in mobilising youth and female population in the city and at villages. She said they would initiate and enrich existing programs back home with relevant information gained during the meeting.

The Pacific Community (SPC) this week took another stride toward combating the emergence of pests, diseases, and health risks such as African Swine Fever (ASF) through the organisation of a regional training focused on strengthening and improving laboratory services to mitigate these threats. The training addresses the timely transport of biological samples, in addition to providing and renewing sample transport certification for participants. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) - Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air virtual training began on 26 April and is being delivered by the Civil Aviation Academy of Australia. The training is taking place as part of the ‘Safe Agriculture trade Facilitation through Economic integration in the Pacific’ (SAFE Pacific) project funded by the European Union in conjunction with the Animal Health Preparedness (African Swine Fever) project and supported by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA Plus). Karen Mapusua, Director of SPC’s Land Resources Division, said efficiently managing the packing and transport of samples for laboratory assessment was critical to ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis for early detection and prevention of pests and diseases in the Pacific. “With the Coronavirus pandemic still threatening the global community and bringing with it more biosecurity risks, SPC has stayed committed to strengthening partnerships and coordinating e-resources and online platforms to ensure we are able to step up in the face of these burgeoning threats,” said Ms Mapusua. Over 30 biosecurity, animal health and plant health officers from Ministries of Agriculture and relevant departments across the region will be trained. Participants are provided course materials to be read and understood before the assessment. Participants have three months to complete the full course. Participants were nominated from across 14 countries implementing the SAFE Pacific project, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The nominated officers will receive a two-year certification to ensure proper packaging and transportation of biological sample materials to accredited veterinary laboratories.

Air Niugini is pleased to advise that passengers traveling to Singapore now will no longer require pre-departure tests. Singapore also doesn’t require pre-departure testing for passengers transiting through Singapore onto flights to other international destinations. However, should your final destination require a pre-departure test, evidence of this will need to be shown at check-in. We recommend checking for latest information at https://www.airniugini.com.pg/international-travel-restrictions-and-requirements/ , and bringing with you a screen shot of your final destination’s requirements during check-in. Countries that do not require pre-departure tests include, the UK, EU, Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, Brazil and South Africa. Countries that require pre-departure rapid tests include USA, New Zealand and Indonesia. The countries that require PCR tests include Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea. This information is rapidly changing and passengers must check on the latest requirements. Passengers departing internationally from PNG are reminded that they cannot check-in without a certificate of vaccination valid for travel. Vaccination Certificates valid for international travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of COVID Vaccination (ICCV), the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries.

The National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (PNGICSA) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat illegal activities in the country. Under the Agreement, both organisations will collaborate on information sharing and effectively establish a framework to combat illegal activities and apprehend offenders who violate the country’s laws. NGCB Chief Executive Officer Imelda Agon said the MOU will allow both organisations to conduct joint programmes and awareness to ensure businesses follow proper processes, and regulate and monitor existing business entities owned by foreign nationals or foreign nationals partnering with PNG nationals. Agon said the Gaming Industry is being diversified and soon new games will be introduced in the country thus there is a need for prudent monitoring and regulation of businesses who are keen to venture or tap into gaming businesses. “It is important that we strategically forge good working relationship with other government agencies and our partnership with PNGICSA is pivotal to combat illegal foreigners coming into our country and engaging in illegal gaming business and not paying their taxes to the PNG Government”, Agon said. The Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau said ICA wants to work with all agencies to improve compliance and same time help each other to enforce their respective laws and generate revenue for the government. “At ICA we are stepping up our efforts to close off all loopholes in our efforts to create a joint agency collaboration where information and intelligence can be managed through conveniently for the sake of strengthening our domestic laws to ensure foreign nationals who do business in our country are compliant,” Mr Hulahau said. “And this MOU is based on this principal of information sharing and collaboration in areas of mutual interests.” The MOU now enables NGCB to request ICA to impose travel restrictions or alerts on persons of interest trying to travel out of the country, provide information on persons of interest, and conduct physical spot check operations and removal if necessary.

The Immigration and Citizenship Authority and Investment Promotion Authority this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the ongoing cooperation between Immigration and IPA. The MOU will solidify the relationship between the two State Agencies to share information, improve compliance in the area of doing business in Papua New Guinea and cooperation on operational matters of mutual interests for the country. Chief Migration Officer Mr. Stanis Hulahau said IPA plays a significant role to attract foreign businesses to do business in the country by issuing the businesses the appropriate registration certificates that enables them to obtain other permits and licences that should allow the businesses to operate in the country. “On the other hand, ICA gives foreign business owners the entry permit to live and work in the country,” Mr Hulahu said. “In any case, both the IPA and ICA operations must be independent but both their operations must be seen to be working together in areas where we need each other’s support so this MOU binds that relationship.” IPA Managing Director Mr. Clarence Hoot said they recognize the importance of the relationship and wish to strengthen the relationship further through the provision of timely, effective, and efficient exchange of information arrangements. The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) is a statutory body mandated to promote and facilitate investment in Papua New Guinea by national, citizen and foreign enterprises and ensure of compliance of the laws that IPA administers through the certification and registration of such enterprises.

The country has welcomed the first two tourists from Dubai after the visitors were convinced by the beauty of Papua New Guinea displayed at the world expo in Dubai. Ruslan Tarpan and Ramil Shaidullin from Ukraine and Russia respectively visited the PNG pavilion at the expo2020 and were blown away by the images and videos about the country. They were also introduced to locally made products such as coffee, honey, artefacts and jewelry, which they purchased. The duo arrived in the country earlier in the week on a 10-day tour to several places in the country including Ambua Lodge in Tari, Karawari in East Sepik, Mt Hagen and Kokopo in East New Britain. “The people are very friendly, the nature is so beautiful and the food is great,” said an excited Ramil from the mountains of Ambua. Ramil who has now called himself Mangi Tari seems to love everything he comes across such as the decorations and masks in the lodges, artefacts and is interested to take them back to Dubai. “Everything is good but the internet is not good,” he told IPA Officer Mrs. Beverly Piawu. “But the main thing is that we are having a great experience in the green outbacks of PNG.” The duo chartered a plane to take them around their visits. During the Dubai world expo’s thematic week on Travel and Connectivity in January, the PNG Expo Team hosted an investment forum to promote the ICT and tourism sectors. The key message delivered during the forum was that digital technology in this century and access to broadband internet for our citizens and visitors would add value to the natural environment and cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea and therefore, PNG needed an integrated tourism and visitor connectivity infrastructure system. The team highlighted the call out for investors and experts that would help plan and deliver the connectivity system in a sustainable way. Expo Commissioner General and PNG Ambassador to Brussels and the European Union His Excellency Joshua Kalinoe said he was happy to see the results of expo starting to come into fruition. He said this was a result of the efforts put in by the team during the six-month long expo. He also stressed that PNG was an exotic country but it needs visitors to experience a mixture of both the modern and traditional means of PNG lifestyles so that even if they spend time on the remote mountains or islands they can still have access to internet and electricity.