PNG PM States Land Reclamation is the Solution to Pacific Climate Risks
James Marape is advocating for the Pacific to address climate change directly, rather than displacing people from their homelands. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is not following Tuvalu’s example of agreeing with Australia to take in migrants as sea levels rise, with the prime minister calling on Pacific nations to take immediate action against its effects.
At the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, Marape emphasized the need for rebuilding islands through land reclamation and desalination efforts instead of focusing on climate migration, highlighting the importance of resilience, sustainability, and integrated development to preserve their heritage.
He stressed the importance of the theme of this year’s Forum, “A Transformed and Resilient Pasifika: Building Better Now,” and emphasized the need for the Pacific to maintain leadership and ownership of regional mechanisms amid increased global engagement.
Marape discussed the economic potential of the Pacific’s marine resources and urged countries to move away from aid dependency towards sustainable economic resources to build resilience. He highlighted PNG’s initiatives through collaborations like the East New Britain Initiative to maximize the benefits of marine resources and transform the fisheries sector to become globally competitive.
Marape also invited other Pacific island countries to use land in PNG to establish fisheries canneries and export finished products under their own brands, signaling cooperative approaches with member countries and CROP in various sectors like forestry, tourism, energy, and security.
During his time in Tonga, Marape engaged in bilateral meetings with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Singapore’s Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Education, Maliki Osman, to progress arrangements on defense cooperation, trade, and investment with both countries building diplomatic missions.
