25/05/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
PNG Strengthens Strategic Climate and Development Partnerships During Official Visit to France
The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) confirms Papua New Guinea’s successful engagement during the Prime Minister’s official visit to France last week, where high-level discussions were held with the Government of France, including His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron.
As part of the official delegation, the Acting Managing Director of CCDA participated in key bilateral meetings, providing technical guidance on climate change, sustainable development, and green finance priorities.
A key highlight of the visit was the continued strengthening of PNG’s partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), particularly in the implementation of the €20 million SONG Project, which supports marine and terrestrial protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. Implementation is already underway in New Ireland and Manus Provinces for marine conservation, and Simbu Province for terrestrial interventions, in collaboration with partners including CEPA and The Nature Conservancy.
The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding protected areas, including the recently announced 200,000-hectare marine protected area in northern Manus, demonstrating PNG’s leadership in ocean conservation.
Further outcomes include progress toward the Rabaul Port Development Project, valued at approximately K400 million, with formal signing and launch expected next month.
In addition, France, through AFD, confirmed support alongside the Asian Development Bank to mobilise an additional €18 million to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s green finance architecture. This will be channelled through the Green Finance Centre to support the rollout of Green Guarantee and Green Refinancing Facilities, enabling local banks and financial institutions to provide accessible, low-interest financing to SMEs and MSMEs aligned with PNG’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Initial financing has already been deployed through partner banks, including MiBank and Mama Bank, to support private sector participation in climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
This visit marks a significant step forward in deepening PNG–France cooperation, particularly in climate action, ocean governance, and sustainable economic development.
Ends.