Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has left Port Moresby this morning to Sydney enroute to Brazil for the United Nations climate summit, COP30.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) will take place from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, northern Brazil, where the city will host tens of thousands of delegates, scientists, government representatives, journalists, and environmental activists from around the world.
The meeting is the main global forum under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where world leaders negotiate and implement international climate agreements. This particular summit, (COP30) is particularly significant as it provides a platform for forest nations – like PNG and Brazil – to advocate for stronger climate action, forest conservation, and ocean protection.
At his departure press conference this morning at the APEC Terminal, Jacksons International Airport, Prime Minister Marape highlighted the importance of Papua New Guinea having its presence at COP30 as a large forest nation and because of its state as a direct victim of climate change.
“This is an extraordinary COP for Papua New Guinea and Brazil. Brazil, the big- gest forest nation, is hosting it. So, a large forest nation is hosting the conference for the first time. This aligns with Article 5 and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which focuses on forests and forest resource management,” said PM Marape.
“We will have Papua New Guinea’s say at COP30. We are saving our forests, which are among the world’s major carbon sinks, so industrialised countries with large carbon footprints must compensate us accordingly.
“PNG is also uniquely qualified to advocate on the impact of climate change. Our Mortlock and Carterets islanders were the first in our country to relocate due to sea level rise, soil salination, and water contamination. We are among the first to experience the impacts alongside other Pacific Island states,” he said.
PM Marape said PNG qualifies for both mitigation and adaptation discussions under global climate frameworks and continues to advocate for maintaining life on islands wherever possible rather than relocating communities.
Prime Minister Marape also emphasised that climate change discussions are incomplete without acknowledging forest resource management and sustainable ocean governance.
He once more reiterated Papua New Guinea’s position is a large rainforest nation while stressing the importance of PNG’s contribution.
“We are renowned for our biodiversity, while our oceans and forests hold tremendous ecological value. The world has clearly invited us into high-level global discussions on this matter.
“Fossil fuel use has not been seriously addressed, and despite all the talk, the world still depends heavily on fossil fuels. Transition energy options, including LNG and clean renewables, have not been fully utilised.”
“Let’s save our forests. Let’s manage our ocean resources well. In doing so, our carbon sinks remain active as the world transitions to cleaner energy solutions. If we are to save our planet from the effects of climate change – rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and increasing food insecurity. While every country has its own economic needs, the entire world must work together to preserve Earth’s forests and oceans.”
PM Marape said PNG joins Brazil, Indonesia, and Malaysia as the world’s major tropical rainforest nations where PNG will advocate strongly with Brazil for global forest protection.
“PNG has high-integrity forests where around 70% of our landmass remains in its premium primary state, with minimal logging footprints. This means high car- bon sink capacity and extremely rich biodiversity,” he said.
“If the world wants us to save our forests for the benefit of humanity, then those with large carbon footprints must pay conservation dollars. These funds must go to our landowners, who have customary rights over the forests.”
This will be Prime Minister Marape’s first attendance of a COP summit as he has abstained in the past because of what he views is a lack of climate action from industrialised nations on the matter.
“I must admit I have not attended any COP meetings in the past because many industrialised nations talk but do not take real action to reduce emissions.
“That has been my strongest view with countries of the world, especially those with huge carbon blueprints. As a climate victim in our small island states and coastal communities, PNG must strongly advocate, especially as the biggest country in the Pacific Islands Forum family,” he said.
The Prime Minister has revealed that PNG will support Australia’s bid to host COP31 next year 2026 as its closest bilateral partner and as part of the Pacific family. He wants PNG to contribute jointly to rainforest-related discussions.
On ocean conservation, the Prime Minister said PNG will complete its internal process to formalise its commitment to ocean conservation and file its ratification with the United Nations next year.
He also confirmed that PNG has offered to host the Global Oceans Conference in 2030, and that many partner nations have pledged their support.
“This ocean conference is significant for PNG. It reflects our place in the world as a forest and ocean nation. The global community recognises our leadership and our participation at COP30 this year will be prominent, especially on forestry and resource management.”
The Prime Minister said Government will immediately prepare the 2026 National Budget as soon as he returns from Brazil. Parliament is scheduled to resume on 18 November 2025 for two weeks before handing down the budget and adjourning for the year.