Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today announced the official set up of the PNG Country Package Secretariat for Forest, Nature and Climate under the Department of Prime Minister.

This initiative was endorsed by the National Executive Council at the end of 2025, and is a result of PNG’s active participation on global forums on Climate  Change and strong push for better climate solutions.

PM Marape said the decision reflects his government’s determination to strengthen whole-of-government coordination; enhance accountability and delivery; and ensure that the Country Package becomes a central pillar of the nation’s development architecture.

“The Department of Prime Minister will now assume full responsibility for the leadership and coordination for the PNG Country Package. It will work closely with line agencies, provincial governments, development partners, civil society, private sector and customary landowners and community leaders,” he said.

“This announcement marks the beginning of a new phase focused firmly on implementation, scale and measurable impact.

“Ultimately, this transition is about delivering real benefits to the people of PNG. It means stronger protection of our forests, biodiversity and ecosystems; im- proved livelihood opportunities for rural and forest-dependent communities; enhanced climate resilience for vulnerable populations; more sustainable eco- nomic pathways; and greater international recognition of PNG’s leadership in environmental stewardship,” said PM Marape.

The PNG Country Package is structured around five priority actions:

•    Scaling up protected areas and conservation to cover 30 percent of land and marine areas;

•    Improving forest management, strengthening value chains, and enhancing governance across forest sector;

•    Reinforcing long-term sustainable financing opportunities for climate, forest and nature outcomes;

•   Supporting environmental research and education; and

•   Strengthening monitoring and reporting systems.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to thank the European Union and the Government of France headed by President Emmanuel Macron for their partnership with PNG and investment in Climate Change and forest management.

At the event, EU Ambassador to PNG, H.E Erika Hasznos and Ambassador of France to PNG, H. E Pierre Fournier recommitted to working closely with the government of PNG to continue actioning the PNG Country Package.

Ambassador Hasznos reaffirmed EU’s investment in Papua New Guinea of EUR54 million (over PGK220 million) under the European Union Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity (EU-FCCB) program. This grant-based initiative began in 2023 and supports sustainable forest management, biodiversity and climate resilience. It will end next year 2027.

France has also launched a similar program in December 2025 called the SoNG (Solwara na Graun blo Pipol) Project which focuses on protecting PNG’s biodiversity in collaboration with local communities. This initiative is worth EUR15 million, and is the result of commitments from President Macron during his visit to PNG in 2023.

Both initiatives form core components of the PNG Country Package for Forest, Nature and Climate which will now be managed through a secretariat under  the Department of Prime Minister.

Besides PNG, six other countries – Colombia, Peru, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo and Gabon – are also developing their own Country Package models, demonstrating global momentum behind this approach.

Globally, the Country Packages are coordinated under the Forest Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP). PNG officially joined FCLP at COP30 and is now an active member.