USAID Promotes Sustainable Landscapes Opportunities for PNG through Launch of New US$16 Million (K56 Million)
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – As part of its efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the US$16M (K56 Million) Papua New Guinea Sustainable Landscapes activity today at the Port Moresby Nature Park.
Over five years, the USAID PNG Sustainable Landscapes Activity will work closely with the Government of Papua New Guinea, the private sector, and local communities to transform Papua New Guinea’s forests and other high-carbon landscapes into the foundation of the country’s low-carbon economy. By strengthening landscape governance and providing sustainable economic alternatives, PNG Sustainable Landscapes will reduce the drivers of deforestation that generate greenhouse gas emissions.
“The United States is excited to build on its strong relationship with the Government of Papua New Guinea to help drive achievement of the Vision 2050 and its other sustainable development goals,” said Joseph Zadrozny, Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy. “When managed sustainably, forests and peatlands can bring strong economic benefits to communities and companies alike. This support will help PNG, and the world, achieve the emissions reductions necessary to achieve the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.”
Mr. Michael Bongro, Director for Special Projects of CEPA, and Mr. Dambis Kaip, Director for Policy and Planning of PNGFA, welcomed the project as being aligned with the mandates and plans of their respective organizations and acknowledged the opportunity to accelerate the country’s shift to a green economy that creates decent jobs while protecting our biodiversity and reducing emissions. They recognize forests as an important natural resource and look forward to working closely with the project team to protect them because national sustainable development depends on it.
Through this activity, the U.S. government aims to promote inclusive, equitable, and sustainable efforts to reduce land-based emissions. USAID, through implementing partner Palladium International, will support the design, coordination, and implementation of key forestry and land use policies by the PNG Forestry Authority, Climate Change and Development Authority, Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority, Department of Works and Highways, Department of National Planning and Monitoring, and the Provincial Administrations of Morobe and Madang. It will also support private sector sustainability efforts, and build community-level capacity in land use and natural resource management with partners including Forest Trends, Forests for Certain: Forests for Life!, and the Center for Environmental Law and Community Rights.