The European Union (EU) Delegation to Papua New Guinea was please to launch its Green Diplomacy Week 2024, a three-day event dedicated to fostering local partnerships for sustainability, environmental protection and climate action on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at the Moresby Arts Theatre. The EU Green Diplomacy Week is aimed to promote dialogue and cooperation on the issue of climate change, protection of the environment, forest and biodiversity, highlighting success stories. It is a world-wide campaign that encourages conversations around climate. During the officially opening of the European Union Green Diplomacy Week 2024, Guest Speaker NCD Governor Powes Parkop gave an incredible speech that highlights the importance of having a balanced economic development as well as having a sustainable environment. Parkop highlighted that leadership is a global challenge when responding to climate change, thus the most important thing is to act when it comes to climate change. “European Union has set a target to be carbon neutral come 2050 and that is something we should welcome and work towards because it is not only for Europe but for the rest of the world.” “When dealing with effects of pollution, reducing impacts of climate change and reducing global temperature and rising sea level, it needs dedicated commitment in all aspects.” “Commitment not only in terms of narrative, policy and law, but more importantly is to put the money where the mouth is in terms of addressing climate change.” Parkop further highlighted that PNG should not be only concerned about the effects of climate change but the way of life for all Papua New Guineans and the Pacific Islanders are all at stake. “It is about our way of life, heritage, our value because we are the ocean, the trees, the weather, the air because we have so much tight to nature, we respect this natural biodiversity because for generations all these has sustained our ancestors until today.” Parkop added that over time PNG is transitioning from our ancestorial way of life into something else, with foreigners promising to offer better life in exchange of the natural environment and resources. “But we must look at European countries, China and other Western developed countries and question ourselves if we want to live in pollution or see the clear sky and breath fresh air?” He also highlighted that extreme weather and plastic pollution are both becoming some major challenges in Port Moresby City and with plastic pollution, it has to stop, or it will affect the food chain soon. “People now or down the generation will eat plastic because it will destroy the environment, when it gets into our water and seas.” Governor Parkop added that there is nothing wrong with development; however, there must be a balance outcome in terms of economic development as well as sustainable environment.