The Kina Bank Board is pleased to announce an underlying NPAT (Net Profit After Tax) of PGK 96.2m, with a statutory NPAT of PGK 70.8m. This result is a solid increase of 27% on the previous financial year’s NPAT growth of 27%. Kina’s CEO and Managing Director Greg Pawson said “The results demonstrate our ability to grow organically, maintain costs and execute on strategic priorities”. Kina Securities Limited (ASX:KSL|PNGX:KSL) is pleased to provide the following update on its full year 2021 results. Kina Bank has announced an underlying NPAT of PGK 96.2m, an increase of 27%, with a statutory NPAT of PGK 70.8m. This result is a solid increase of 27% on the previous financial year’s NPAT growth of 27%. Notably, one-off costs associated with the Westpac acquisition termination impacted this growth. In good news for shareholders, The Board has declared an unfranked final dividend for the 2H21 of 0.7 cents (AUD) per share and 26.8toea (PGK) per share. The full year unfranked dividend is 10.0 cents (AUD) per share / 26.8 toea (PGK) per share. Kina’s CEO and Managing Director Greg Pawson said, “These results demonstrate our ability to grow organically, maintain costs and execute on strategic priorities.” He added “Throughout 2021, everyone on our team has been focused on delivering strong growth in all target segments, while maintaining disciplined cost management and ensuring our communities remain safe in a pandemic. The implementation of our Corporate Banking strategy and response in developing digital solutions for our customers, has helped build a sustainable growth profile.” Kina’s capital position remains well above the regulatory target of 12% with Total Capital adequacy of 23.3%. Performance snapshot: · Underlying NPAT increased by 27% to PGK 96.2m. · The Loan book delivered a 21% growth. · Foreign Exchange (FX) revenue grew by 19%. · Net Fees and Commissions increased by 17% to PGK 89.3m. · The performance in non-interest income from fees and commissions and foreign exchange income contributed 18% to Kina’s strong revenue growth. · Cost to income ratio (underlying) maintained at 58%. · Reduction in impairment cost to PGK 6.5m. · Kina’s Funds Administration business achieved NPAT of PGK 10.1m, which reflects a 22% improvement. Delivering on the Kina’s 2025 Strategic Plan All strategic initiatives have progressed well. In FY21 the focus was on simplifying the business, building digital capability, creating a competitive Corporate bank and having a compelling home loan product and offering. Kina delivered: · Digital capability across core banking which saw an uplift in Digital usage by 95%, year on year.· Competitive deposit products such as fee-free online banking helped deliver 8% Customer acquisition growth. · Effective management of loan levels well within industry benchmarks. · An expanded suite of products and services for SMEs including transaction accounts, concessional rate loans, online banking enhancements, digital payments gateways and with future partnerships such as Xero integration planned. · A refresh of the Brand and Marketing strategy including a new website that will underpin customer acquisition in FY22. · An improvement in executive diversity, with women in 60% of first line management and level one senior managers roles. · Financial inclusion through MiBank (microfinance partner) onboarding 66,829 new customers in 2021. Banking grows For the banking division, strong lending growth of 21% was achieved. Total loans and advances increased to PGK 1,950.5m. Kina improved market share in total loans and advances by 2% to 15%, ahead of Westpac and ANZ, positioning Kina as the second largest bank by loans and advances in PNG. The deposit base has increased by 19% with a 23% uplift in at call accounts. The improvement in On Call accounts is attributed to growth in net customers by 8%. NIM reflects a mix of increased lending to the corporate sector, strong deposit growth to maintain the loan to deposit ratio at less than 70%, and our strategy to grow FX revenues with the resources sector. While interest earning assets saw a 20% increase over the prior year, 69% of this growth was recorded in the second half. We expect NIM to normalise in the first half of 2022, well within the target range of 6-8%. The impact on NIM is offset by a strong performance in non-interest income which includes FX revenues and channel fees. Overall, fee income increased to PGK 57mn, a 24% increase. The largest contributor was Merchant facilities fees achieving strong growth from the increased distribution of Point of Sale terminals. Funds Under Administration Another positive year for Kina Funds Administration with NPAT of PGK 10.1m, a 22% improvement on the prior year. This is due to an increase in Funds under administration and growth in the membership base. Strategy and Outlook Kina’s purpose is to constantly improve the prosperity of the people, communities, and markets it serves. The bank achieves this by being the most dynamic, progressive, and accessible financial services organization in the Pan Pacific. To deliver on our purpose the bank developed a series of priorities. 2022 Priorities overview · Digital partnership platforms including e-KYC onboarding, payment system and digital wallets. · Deliver propositions to target segments, Prime home loans, Prime Plus (Employee referrals) and Private Bank · Developing ESG framework and renew commitment to micro finance partner MiBank. · Selectively build the brand into regional areas with the greatest growth opportunities. The BPNG’s outlook for economic growth is positive, with forecast GDP real growth of 5.4% driven by mining sector activity. Commodities such as coffee and palm oil are also forecast to grow, supporting Kina’s corporate proposition and target segments. COVID-19 continues to present a systemic risk for PNG with low vaccination rates. In order to support our customers, communities and staff, we will drive to deliver a more accessible and inclusive financial services business. This will include the implementation of key digital programs to ensure our customers can bank anywhere, anytime. Bank CEO and Managing Director Greg Pawson outlined Kina Bank’s growth plan, “Our customer growth, brand recognition and commitment to our communities has established the group as a leading diversified financial services company in PNG. 2021 was the start of our growth agenda. We have a strategic plan that sets out our opportunities to grow sustainable revenues and build on our digital capabilities and partnerships. Leveraging our assets and our people across financial services in the Pan-Pacific region, backs our vision to deliver value for all our stakeholders”.

Twelve Villages of Erap Ward 7 & 8 receive training and funding support to be models of the Intervention Program. Sunday 27th February 2022, Dinsu Village in Ward 7 of Erap LLG, Nawaeb District saw graduates of 12 villages presented funding support after completion of Healthy Village & Good Governance Concept of the Morobe Provincial Government. The Concept promotes proper Hygiene and preventative Healthcare for rural villages and Good Governance systems that steers proper planning of all Village systems to be models of Morobe Province. Present at the occasion was Morobe Governor Ginson Goheyuc Saonu, Morobe Province Deputy Governor Willie Simbisi, Wain/Erap LLG President Kunump Ameke, MPG Healthy Village & Good Governance Program Coordinator & Initiator Mr Justin Ruameng along with his Trainers and Ward Councilors of Wards 7 & 8 of Wain/Erap. The funding support presented will provide the capacity to rollout the program in the respective 12 villages in the area. Governor Saonu said this Intervention Program is to foster Good health practices for the people and is a preventative method in reducing burden & strain to the health facilities. He said the Good Governance training encourages Ward Committees to be strengthened as well and be more proactive in the areas that really affect the people. Similar Roll out of this program has touched, Bulolo, Nawaeb, Huon and Markham Districts capturing the other Districts of Morobe Province. MPG HV&GG Coordinator Mr Justin Ruameng commended the support of the Leadership of Governor Saonu so far. Mr Ruameng is focused that the Program will instill better coordinated practices of living at Village level up and contributes to better standards of living at Provincial Level. K1000 funding (K12,000) was given to respective 12 villages to kick start the program in their villages this year. The Program is being supported as well by Nawaeb DDA, Australia DFAT, Lutheran Church.

For thousands of years, bilum weaving has been handed down from mothers to daughters across Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is an integral part of PNG’s cultural heritage and an important source of income for artisan women, especially those facing significant social and economic disadvantage. Yet despite bilum’s omniscient presence in PNG, its commercial and artistic value has remained relatively hidden, until recently. The bilum story is an incredible example of the transformative power of the creative and cultural industry. It shows just what is possible when emerging entrepreneurs are given effective access to international markets, are supported to strengthen their supply chains and are empowered to share their creativity and culture with the world. Over the years Australia, through the PNG-Australia Partnership, has supported entrepreneurs like - Florence Jaukae Kamel and her vision for the Goroka Bilum Festival, and provided strategic capacity building along the bilum value chain. Pacific Trade Invest Australia helped Florence and key artisans to take bilum to the world stage and find international buyers. With a little help, the entrepreneurship and vision of these women can lead to great commercial success and inclusive economic growth. Many in the international market have become attracted to the unique beauty of the bilum and have contributed to the growth of international sales, through boutique fashion designers to several large international fashion retailers. Capacity building along the bilum value chain, has in turn supported the growth of the industry and enhanced its financial sustainability. There is now a network of over a thousand weavers across the country, exporting bilum to the world, while increasing their income and wellbeing through culture and community. “Our weavers are single mothers, women who people think have no value in the family. They are raising their children, paying their school fees, medical bills and building their own houses. And they are succeeding through bilum.” Florence Jakaue Kamel While much has changed in ten years, the bilum story continues to unfold, with its full potential yet to be realised. It has taken ten years of experimentation, persistence and forging of relationships to get the bilum industry to where it is today. But for it to grow as a significant export opportunity for PNG it needs another 5-10 more years of strategic support to strengthen the supply chain and grow the industry. And the demand is there, as Jessica from Bilum & Bilas shares, “The creative industry in Papua New Guinea is an untapped resource. There’s a real demand now in the marketplace for sustainable, ethical products with deep meaning and stories, that also give back to the makers.” Culture and art are a source of identity, and can inspire creativity, innovation, and community-based entrepreneurship. The right investment into the creative and cultural industries could see it become a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth - empowering women, creating jobs, and fostering a stronger, more connected community. “My hope is to see the Creative and Cultural Industries stand on their own, in their own right. Not [just] be rolled out when there’s a meeting or gathering but a real appreciation for the art and the intrinsic value that it adds to the national identity. It is the perfect vehicle for economic empowerment.” shares Ruth Choulai, Cultural Industry Advisor, Abt Associates. The Australian High Commission sponsored film ‘The Bilum Story’ tells this story and it has been released for special viewing from 24 Feb – 10 March 2022 on www.thebilumstory.com

The Acting Secretary for the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology Dr Francis Hualupmomi has strongly condemned a bullying incident at the PNG University of Technology that resulted in a student’s room being totally ransacked by fellow students. Dr Hualupmomi said his office is fully aware of the incident and he is hoping the University management can address this incident within their own capacity. “University of Technology is an academic institution and not a place for rogue students.” “I am confident that the University management will address this issue within their by-laws.” The Secretary further clarified that the Department has no power to intervene in such matters as universities are established by the Act Parliament, and therefore they operate within their by-laws to address matters of concern such as bullying. He said the Department addresses such matters through a quality assurance process whereby institutions are advised to establish policy and by-laws to protect the safety of students in accordance with the Higher Education General Provisions Act 2014 and quality assurance guidelines. “I encourage all institutions of higher learning to develop strong policies or by-laws to prevent bullying, including sexual harassment.” “In doing so, they protect the security of students and enhance the quality of learning.” Meanwhile the PNG University of Technology Administration has refused to comment on the incident nor advise on the actions they are taking to deal with the students involved. The family of the student who are based in Port Moresby have notified this Newsroom that they will be flying over to Lae to formally lodge a complaint with police and with the University Administration.

Members of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) met in the margins of the current parliamentary session to prepare for the second round public hearings which will be held by the Committee on Thursday 3 March and Friday 4 March 2022. Charles Abel, Chairman of the Committee, made clear that the Committee will use the hearing to encourage Government Ministers and officials to stay focused on addressing GBV, even in the lead up to the June 2022 national general election. On Thursday 24 February, when speaking in the House on a Bill that sought to criminalise sorcery accusation related violence (SARV), Chairman Abel used his speech as an opportunity to highlight the work of the Committee to address a range of critical issues, including and in addition to SARV. In his speech to Parliament, he stated: “Our Committee produced a report last year, which listed 71 recommendations. In our report, which has been endorsed by the Government, we highlighted 7 urgent reforms – including the establishment of a permanent GBV committee, to convert the current special committed into a permanent one. I have given the Leader of Government Business a draft motion to make that recommendation happen and trust the Leader to action that.” Hon Abel noted that other recommendations included the establishment of the National GBV Secretariat, counselling services, addressing SARV, providing more support for family planning and ensuring access to justice for GBV survivors. The importance of reserved seats for women was also highlighted as an urgent priority recommendation, but Hon Abel noted that the Government appears to be running late in tabling legislation to push through those reforms. The second round of public hearings by the GBV Committee will be held in Port Moresby from Thursday 3 March to Friday 4 March. They will be used to ask Ministries about how they have implemented the recommendations made by the Committee in their August 2021 Report. To enable the public to watch and participate, the public hearings will be broadcast on the Committee’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PNGParlCommGBV. At a meeting of Committee members discussing the next hearings, Governor Powes Parkop a member of the Committee stated: “At our hearings next week, we expect to be hearing from government officials working across the spectrum, from health officials who provide crisis support services, to the police, prosecution and courts services who are responsible for investigating and prosecuting GBV crimes. We want to know what they have done since our last hearings to fix the many gaps we identified in our August GBV repot in the national response to GBV.” He stressed: “I am particularly concerned that the Government needs to urgently approve the establishment of the National GBV Secretariat, which has been tasked with driving the national GBV response. Although the Government allocated 7.93 million Kina to the Department for Community Development and Religion in the 2022 National Budget, it wont be spent if there isn’t a National GBV Secretariat, with a properly qualified cohort of staff who can effectively manage that funding for the benefit of GBV survivors across the country. This must be done immediately.” The Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV was set up in 2020 by the National Parliament. It has six members, in addition to the Chair: Deputy Chairman Hon Allan Bird (Governor East Sepik), Hon Powes Parkop (Governor NCD), Hon Aiye Tambua (Goroka MP), Hon Michael Dua (Governor Chimbu), Hon Allan Marat (Rabaul MP) and Hon Ginson Saonu (Governor Morobe). For more information on the Committee, see Coalition of Parliamentarians to End GBV: https://www.unitedforequalitypng.com/. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is providing technical support to the Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV as part of its gender programming and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. This support aims to address Gender-Based Violence and support longer term efforts to promote women’s participation and leadership in the Parliament.

Kina Bank is proud to support Susu Mamas with a K30,000 donations. This donation will contribute to the organizations work providing free primary health care services to the children and women. Executive General Manager, Banking, Lesieli Taviri, says ‘’we at Kina Bank will continue to navigate through the uncertainties and challenges presented by COVID19 to provide much needed essential services and support to our customers and clients. We recognize the important work of Susu Mamas and we at Kina Bank feel that our assistance in this cause will continue to change, impact and save lives of women and children in the communities they live in. Our Staff access your services and it’s important we help you to help our people’’. We are happy to support the work. Chair of the fund raising committee of Susu Mamas, Lata Milner, is grateful that this assistance will go a long way for Susu Mamas. ‘’With the increase in number of people attending the clinics since the COVID-19 pandemic started, staff have had to be increased from 50 to 150. Now Susu Mamas desperately needs funding to be able to continue to provide these much needed services. Funding cuts and policy change has affected our operations as attention was shifted to covid19’’. On behalf of Susu Mamas, our mothers, young children and family, I’d really like to express our gratitude to Kina Bank for supporting us in a very enormous way. I can’t tell you how fabulous this is and how many lives will have changed and for Kina Bank to support us is fantastic and I’m very supportive as it means a lot to us,’’ says Lata Milner. Susu Mamas PNG has been providing free primary health care services to communities in seven provinces for the past 30 years. This includes adult and paediatric health care, HIV and Sexual reproductive health, family planning, maternal and child health (immunization, nutrition screening) and Covid vaccines.

Russian football clubs and national teams have been suspended from all competitions by Fifa and Uefa after the country's invasion of Ukraine. The world and European football governing bodies said they would be banned "until further notice". It means the Russian men's team will not play their World Cup play-off matches next month and the women's team have been banned from this summer's Euro 2022 competition. Spartak Moscow have also been kicked out of the Europa League and their last-16 opponents RB Leipzig will advance to the quarter-finals. Uefa has also ended its sponsorship with Russian energy giant Gazprom. "Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine," Fifa and Uefa said in a joint statement. "Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people." Fifa and Uefa decided to take action after Russia, supported by Belarus, launched a military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine last Thursday. The Russian men's team had been scheduled to face Poland in a World Cup play-off semi-final on 24 March. Russian football's governing body, the RFU, said it "categorically disagreed" with the decision and would challenge it "in accordance with international sports law". Fifa had previously ruled that Russia must complete their upcoming games in neutral territory, under the title Football Union of Russia, and without their flag and anthem. However, the announcement drew criticism - and Scotland and the Republic of Ireland joined several other nations, including England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden, in refusing to play against Russia. Russia are in Northern Ireland's European Under-21 Championship qualifying group and their meeting in March will be cancelled. On Monday, Scottish FA president Rod Petrie wrote to his Ukrainian counterpart "to send a message of support, friendship and unity", with those two nations due to meet in their World Cup play-off semi-final on 24 March. The 2022 Champions League final, originally due to be played in St Petersburg on 28 May, has been moved to Paris while numerous clubs have taken their own steps to disassociate themselves from Russia. Manchester United has terminated its sponsorship deal with Russia's national airline Aeroflot while Bundesliga club Schalke has cancelled its partnership with main sponsor Gazprom, having last week removed the Russian energy company's logo from its shirts. "I can't understand why it took them 24 hours to make this decision," said Jim Boyce, former Fifa vice-president and honorary life president of the Irish FA, speaking to BBC Radio Ulster. "What is happening is absolutely deplorable. Quite honestly, every possible sanction that can be imposed on Russia at the minute has to be done. I applaud Fifa and I applaud Uefa for the decision that they have made today." Speaking on Monday, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said: "The whole world has to be compact and show [it is] solid against the stupidity of the people." He added: "I think it's right to express our disappointment about the stupidity about some decisions. Football and Uefa has to be compact and to show to be strong."

The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC), managers of the domestic semi-professional rugby league competition, the Digicel Cup, announces that there will be no new franchises for the 2022 Digicel Cup season. Due to the challenges and uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow said the board decided that there would be no additional franchises joining the current 12 franchises this season. There will be a review of the Digicel Cup Strategic Plan and the expansion of the competition will depend on this and the quality of future bids. He acknowledged the funding from Australian DFAT which will enable this review and assist development of the sport in PNG. He thanked all the current franchises and their sponsors for their commitment and continued participation in the competition, especially as the pandemic had disrupted many businesses, sports and social activities. The Participation Agreements will be finalised with the 12 franchises and franchise fees must be paid before season kick-off. Season fixtures and draw will be announced as soon as conditions under which the competition may proceed are clarified with the Office of Pandemic Controller. Chow said preparations for the 2022 Digicel Cup season has started with all franchises well into preseason training. We have the Franchise Manager’s Meeting and the Annual General Meeting (AGM), dates to be confirmed later and advised.

The death toll from the south-east Queensland weather emergency has risen to seven as flooding continues across the region. Police said a man was swept away while trying to cross Cabbage Tree Creek Road at Fitzgibbon on Brisbane's northside late on Sunday. Two members of the public saw the 59-year-old and tried to rescue him, conducting CPR once he was out of the water. Paramedics also responded but the man died at the scene, according to police. [caption id="attachment_19377" align="aligncenter" width="658"] The Brisbane River was forecast to peak at about 4 metres on Monday morning.(ABC News: Brian Hurst)[/caption] South-east Queenslanders face a chaotic start to the week, with floods expected to worsen, more than 1,000 roads cut off, trains shut down, schools and many businesses closed and hundreds of residents sheltering in evacuation centres. The "rain bomb" responsible for the weekend's record-breaking inundation has moved slowly south today lashing both sides of the New South Wales-Queensland border. The wild weather has already left widespread damage and flooding in its wake and will continue to affect thousands of residents for days. More than 1,400 houses in Brisbane were affected by internal flooding yesterday, and Brisbane City Council estimates another 4,501 properties could be flooded today. "We had almost 1,000 SES calls just yesterday in the last 24 hours, and it's right across Brisbane because it wasn't just river flooding, it was creek flooding," Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner told ABC Radio Queensland this morning. [caption id="attachment_19378" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Severe damage to several boats and the ferry terminal at Hawthorne.(Supplied: Phil Hearne)[/caption] As of 2:15am this morning Wivenhoe Dam was sitting at more than 185 per cent capacity, but slowly dropped during the morning and as of 8am was siting at 183 per cent. More more than 100 millimetres of rain had been recorded in parts of the Gold Coast this morning. The state government said nearly 1,000 schools would be closed today and urged Queenslanders to work from home. Almost 1,000 people were sheltering in evacuation centres late yesterday, with more expected to join them, especially in the Maryborough region. Brisbane River hits 'major' flood levels [caption id="attachment_19379" align="aligncenter" width="644"] More than 1,400 Brisbane homes in riverside areas such as Rocklea are believed to have been flooded.(AAP: Jason O’Brien)[/caption] State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski declared Gympie and Brisbane disaster zones, saying conditions in the capital were extremely dangerous. He said Brisbane faced flash flooding, multiple road closures and landslides, while its rail network was down, and rivers and creeks were flooded. The Brisbane River peaked at 4m during high tide, about 8:30am. Authorities have already described it as a "major flood", though below the city's 2011 peak of 4.46m. Mr Gollschewski said people needed to be very aware of the high tides. "There are two [high tides] every day, so we are planning around those tides,'' he said. Threat to remain for days [caption id="attachment_19380" align="aligncenter" width="607"] A large amount of flooding underneath the Ipswich motorway in Goodna.(ABC News: Michael Rennie)[/caption] A major and historic flood also hit Maryborough this morning, about 220km north of Brisbane. The Mary River surpassed the major flood level of 9m, and was sitting at 9.5m at 7:30am. Fraser Coast regional Council Mayor George Seymour said the water was rising at a rate of 10cm an hour. Council expects the river to reach the 2013 flood level, which is marked on the historical Bond Store in town. "This is a major flood and there is a lot of water coming down river from Gympie floods. What we've seen at Miva, nobody has ever heard of it at that height," Mr Seymour said. [caption id="attachment_19381" align="aligncenter" width="618"] The Bremer River, near the Ipswich CBD, is also forecast to rise this morning.(ABC News: Tobias Jurss-Lewis)[/caption] Meanwhile, the Logan and Beaudesert regions were also likely to be under threat as the rain system drifted south. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is predicting the river will pass the 2017 level of 20.5 metres this morning at the Maclean Bridge gauge, making it the largest flood recorded since 1974, when it reached 21.22 metres. In Ipswich, Goodna was the worst affected area with some residents in low-lying parts of Booval and Bundamba told to prepare to evacuate. As of 9am, more than 53,000 households across the state's south-east had lost power. Disaster payments for Gympie, North Burnett In Brisbane yesterday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie said some affected residents in the Gympie and North Burnett regions would receive disaster-relief payments. The financial aid is likely to be expanded soon to other badly impacted areas. [caption id="attachment_19382" align="aligncenter" width="634"] Properties in Gympie are being inundated by floodwater.(ABC News: Janzey Pratt)[/caption] Senator McKenzie said the disaster payments would include $1,000 per person and $400 per child. Applications will open at 1pm today. Senator McKenzie said disaster victims could also claim an extra hardship grant of $180 per person, up to $900 per family. SOURCE: ABC NEWS

A statement on the Telegram messaging app said the two sides would meet at an unspecified location on the Belarusian border and did not give a precise time for the meeting. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he needed to use every opportunity to secure peace. "I do not really believe in the outcome of this meeting, but let them try so that later not a single citizen of Ukraine has any doubt that I, as President, tried to stop the war, when there was even a small, but still a chance." The announcement came hours after Russia confirmed its delegation had flown to Belarus to await talks. Ukrainian officials initially rejected the move, saying any talks should take place elsewhere than Belarus, where Russia has placed a large contingent of troops. Putin's nuclear threat President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian nuclear forces put on high alert in response to what he called "aggressive statements" by leading NATO powers. Speaking at a meeting with his top officials, Mr Putin directed the Russian defence minister and the chief of the military's General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a "special regime of combat duty". "Western countries aren't only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere," he said in televised comments. "But top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country." The US ambassador to the United Nations responded to the comments from Moscow. "President Putin is continuing to escalate this war in a manner that is totally unacceptable," ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. "And we have to continue to condemn his actions in the most strong, strongest possible way." She added that it "remains to be seen" if Russia is acting in good faith regarding the talks. Anti-war protests continue across Russia From Moscow to Siberia, Russian anti-war activists have taken to the streets again to protest against the invasion, despite the arrests of hundreds of protesters each day. [caption id="attachment_19371" align="aligncenter" width="835"] A demonstrator is detained by police officers in St Petersburg[/caption] Demonstrators have been holding marches in city centres, chanting "No to war!". Protests against the invasion started on Thursday in Russia and have continued daily ever since, even as police have moved swiftly to crack down on the rallies and detain protesters. The protests on Sunday appeared smaller than the ones on Thursday, the first day of Russia's attack in Ukraine, when thousands of people rallied in Moscow and St Petersburg, but their true scale was hard to assess. In St Petersburg, where dozens gathered in the city centre, police in full riot gear were seen grabbing one protester after another and dragging some into police vans, even though the demonstration was peaceful and no violent incidents have occurred. According to the OVD-Info rights group that tracks political arrests, by Sunday afternoon, police had detained at least 356 Russians in 32 cities over anti-war demonstrations that day. SOURCE: SKY NEWS

We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine. By its unprovoked and unjustified military actions, Russia is grossly violating international law and undermining European and global security and stability. We deplore the loss of life and the human suffering. We call on Russia to immediately cease the hostilities, withdraw its military from Ukraine and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. Such use of force and coercion has no place in the 21st century. The EU stands firmly by Ukraine and its people as they face this unparalleled crisis. The EU leaders will meet later today. President Michel of the European Council has urgently convened an extraordinary meeting of the European Council to discuss the crisis and further restrictive measures. These will impose massive and severe consequences on Russia for its actions. President von der Leyen and High Representative Borrell will outline a further sanctions package being finalised by the European Commission and the EEAS in close coordination with partners. The Council will adopt them swiftly. The EU will continue to provide strong political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its people.

On Monday 14 February 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Papua New Guinea in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade (DFA&IT) and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) conducted the Country Consultative Meeting for the FAO 36th Session of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Port Moresby. The half-day high-level consultation meeting with relevant Government authorities is a lead up to the main event, which is the FAO 36th Session of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference. The FAO conference is scheduled to be held from 8th - 11th of March 2022, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The FAO APRC is convened every biennium and is an official forum where Ministers and Senior Officials of the Government of FAO Member States in the Asia and the Pacific region meet to elaborate, beyond the borders of the individual countries, on challenges and priority matters related to food and agriculture, with a view of promoting regional coherence on global policies. The APRC results in recommendations that guide FAO’s work in the vast Asia-Pacific region, and provides further guidance to FAO’s global conference in Rome in June of the following year. Government Ministers, Secretaries and Senior Officers from DAL, DFAIT, Department of Communication and Information Technology (DCIT), National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA), Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), Department of Health (NDoH), Department of Finance (DoF), Department of Commerce and Industry (DCI), Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion, were invited to attend the consultation. The high-level Country Consultation aimed to sensitize participants on the APRC, regional priorities and initiatives as well as identifying the country’s gaps and needs of which FAO can better support the Government in achieving its development goals and objectives. Discussions were based on the following regional priority areas; (i) the state of food and agriculture in the Asia and Pacific region, in light of Covid-19 pandemic; (ii) promote climate resilient agri-food systems in Asia and Pacific region (iii) scaling up inclusive digitalization in agriculture value chains; (iv) identifying One Health priorities in Asia and the Pacific region; (v) Conserving, restoring and sustainably using biodiversity for food security and nutrition in the Pacific islands. The meeting also enticed participatory discussions and provided the opportunity for Government stakeholders and agencies to engage amongst and with FAO on avenues for collaboration to benefit the people of PNG. FAO PNG Head of Office and Country Representative, Mr Bir Mandal, spoke of the importance of partners and communities, and following the triangle approach to partnerships, explaining that in each angle of the triangle there is an international community (such as FAO) or development partner(s), a technical organisation and the community. “If I’m working with a team, I must work with a key Department. And under the most important angle is the community – the farmers with whom you work with. So if we follow this approach we will be successful.” Mr. Mandal went on further to talk about the importance of farmer cooperatives or community farming to assist small farmers to access equipment and empower themselves. “Due to COVID-19, we have had a lot of problems in food supply, transportation, and such. It has also taught us to be independent to the extent possible in our own food production system. And it has opened our eyes and ears” said Mr Mandal in his closing remarks. DAL Keynote speaker, Mr Brown Konabe, Acting Deputy Secretary for PATS, advised that to be engaged with the APRC, the GoPNG needs to be guided by the relevant policies, i.e.; the PNG Vision 2050, PNG DSP 2010-2030, MTDPs, and AMTDP 2020-2022. The AMTDP is the current sector plan that will provide the basis for the GoPNG’s expectations, as it is well aligned with PNG Vision 2050, DSP, MTDP and the SDG 2030. He concluded that, “6 -7 million people depend on commodity crops for cash income, hence, agriculture, fisheries and forestry are important economic sectors that will contribute significantly to the growth of the economy. Though, there are many challenges, the GoPNG is committed to support the sector to protect and secure the wellbeing of 87% of the population in rural areas who depend on it for their livelihood.” Mr Timothy Masiu, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, noted the importance of agriculture in the economic development of the country and how his department (DCIT) must be seen as enablers and facilitators to play an active role in implementing the APRC fourth regional priority, “Scaling up inclusive digitalization in agricultural value chains” in PNG. The minister also emphasized on the importance of information dissemination, ‘’As Minister responsible for Communication, I am calling on all Government Departments to utilize our media platforms as our medium for sharing knowledge and information. Utilize the government radio and television because most of our people do not have access to development agendas such as presented today. The lack of information reaching the people is negatively affecting their interest to participate in development issues in the country.”