Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting in Tonga this week will discuss key issues on climate change and forest conservation.

Prime Minister Marape made this statement today before departing Port Mo- resby for Nukualofa, Tonga through Niue.

“Pacific Island countries will continue our advocacy on the impact of climate change at established countries who are big carbon emitters to ensure climate change relief funds are made available to Small Island States for climate change mitigation.

“Papua New Guinea is not a Small Island State. We are a big island nation, but we also have small island communities amongst us who face these climate change challenges,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape said PNG would also bring to the table the conversation on forest nations.

“We are a big forest nation, and at PIF, those conversations will run. The PIF summit will be graced with the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres has made a specific request for Papua New Guinea to have a bilateral meeting with him.

“The conversation in that bilateral meeting would be on the progress of Bou- gainville peace agreement and what is happening in Bougainville, as well as Papua New Guinea’s view on forestry and the value for forestry that should be earned by Papua New Guinea, in as far as forest conservation is concerned.

“So, it’s an interesting PIF for me, in the sense that the UN Secretary-General will also be there and we will be discussing some of the key issues that need to be raised at the global stage. The entire Pacific islands and foreign nations will present to the UN Secretary-General,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape and other PIF leaders are attending the 53rd PIF meeting in Tonga beginning Monday, 26 August 2024 to Friday, 30 August 2024. PM Mar- ape will return on Thursday, 29 August 2024.

The Prime Minister also announced that his deputy, John Rosso, will act as Prime Minister during his absence in the country.