Press Releases

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is to contribute to a more robust and inclusive business environment in Papua New Guinea.

The APEC Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting (SFOM) has commenced its two days meeting in Madang this morning with topics of discussions under the policy priority on promoting inclusive growth through structural reform.

Digital Government is one of the objectives in the APEC Economies for the government to drive digitisation in the public sector.

Papua New Guinea is looking at establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) system to promote the flow of genuine ICT equipment into the country.

The Seminar on Financial Inclusion in the APEC economies began in Madang this morning (05/05/18) focusing on financial education and inclusion in rural areas.

In light of the World Environment Day and the recent decision to ban plastic bags throughout Papua New Guinea within the next 12 months, a local business has taken the initiative to begin practicing eco-friendly methods by moving away from plastic bags.

One of the APEC Telecommunications and Information working Group (TIWG) crucial role is to embrace new opportunities and foster ICT innovation in the APEC region.

The 57th APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APECTEL 57’ 2018) Meeting has commenced in Port Moresby on Monday 4 June 2018 with focus on Information, Communication and Technology to be the foundation for regional connectivity.

The host economy’s national policies and legal frameworks across APEC economies needs to be harmonized to enable cross border transactions and trade as well as collaboration.

The APEC Senior Finance Officials are gathering in Madang to discuss ways to advance financial inclusion, accelerate infrastructure development and financing, foster international tax cooperation and transparency, and improve approaches to disaster risk financing and insurance within the APEC region.

The APEC Security and Prosperity Steering Group (SPSG) held the first workshop from its six-day program focusing on promoting security conscious internet usage in the APEC Region.

There is much to cover. Papua New Guinea is currently leading APEC’s membership in addressing even issues emerging for mature economies such as middle-class urban populations, ageing demographics, data privacy and anti-globalization pressures.

Papua New Guinea is quite unique to the other economies around Asia that has wonderful material culture with great things to see but there is still more work on connecting up the country to the rest of the world.

The 10th APEC Tourism Ministers Meeting concluded on a high note with a regional trip for delegates and to visit Kavieng, New Ireland Province.

Host Chair and Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Emil Tamur has described the 10th APEC Tourism Ministers Meeting held in Port Moresby recently, as a huge success with positive outcomes for sustainable and inclusive growth for tourism in the region.

Showcasing Papua New Guinea’s cultural identity to the world is not always an easy task. Multiple cultural identities and varying traditional practices makes Papua New Guinea (PNG) a unique member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The 52nd Tourism Working Group (TWG) began its meeting today in Port Moresby with discussions on endorsing several key tourism policy initiatives to promote best practice while promoting inclusive community based sustainable tourism initiatives.

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority is privileged to be involved in APEC 2018 and the APEC Women in Tourism Dialogue on is our first planned major work program for this week.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been a constant focus throughout the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings this year.

The APEC Economic Committee Chair sees the Regional Visit to Lae, Morobe Province as an opportunity for cultural interaction and technical display by business with economic potential.

The APEC Food Security Cooperation Forum (APEC FSCF) is working towards establishing a Food Safety Modernization Framework that looks at delivering safer food to consumers, both domestic and internationally imported food.

During the APEC Group of Friends of Disabilities symposium (GOFD), the Patron of the Papua New Guinea Assembly of Disabled Persons (ADP) and wife of the Host Economy’s Prime Minister, Mrs Lynda Babao O’Neill said that Papua New Guinea is broadening its support to ensure there is inclusion for the disabled community to expand.

The Oceans and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) commenced its meeting on Friday 18 May 2018 focusing on improving the MSMEs placing on the value chain for job creation and business for economic growth and development.

Advances in information technology and the digital economy creates a more equal environment, new equipment, smarter applications, and improved systems break down barriers and facilitates inclusion.

The symposium on Group of Friends on Disability (GOFD) began this morning (18/05/2018) with the main focus on plans to develop action plans, collaboration amongst GOFD economies and share ideas with other APEC sub-foras to advance human resource development.

The PPWE is set to develop a new set of goals through the development of a new strategic plan and to inject ambition into its development.

The ultimate aim of the research and policy presentations during APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference (ASCCC) is to enhance people’s livelihood within respective economies

Regional Economic Integration and Connectivity is a very important part of negotiations through the APEC Region in developing the rural communities.

Papua New Guinea has not shied away from the digital discussion because it welcomes the idea that technology has the ability to provide opportunities that have the potential to change the way women participate in the economy.

As part of APECs drive for inclusivity, the Second Senior Official’s Meeting (SOM2) and related meetings began with the 2018 APEC Study Centre’s consortium conference under the theme “Inclusive growth opportunities in an increasingly connected region.”

The PNG APEC Study Center represents a huge opportunity for researchers at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute, in PNG and abroad to collaborate and bring regional experience to solve local issues.

The APEC 2018 PNG Coordination Authority held their first regional protocol training session in Kavieng, New Ireland province, to prepare young officers for the upcoming regional visit next month.

Commonwealth countries have agreed to further enhance efforts to deal the threats posed by the spread of malaria, particularly in developing nations.

Chinese President Xi Jingping has been confirmed to attend the APEC leaders summit in November.

More than a thousand delegates from APEC's 21-member economies are expected to attend the Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 2) to be held in Port Moresby from May 11th to 24th this year.

Preparations are well underway for the Second Senior Officials (SOM 2) meeting in May while focus of discussions lean towards the Trade Ministers meeting.

Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, has applauded Papua New Guinea for hosting APEC 2018.

The APEC Finance and Central Bank Deputies' Meeting began this morning in Port Moresby with a seminar on Accelerating Infrastructure Development and Financing.

In a bid to improve access and participation in digital economy, Papua New Guinea as the host economy is considering plans to improve competition in the telecommunication industry to deliver lower costs and more innovative digital products.

APEC Protocol Officers in Papua New Guinea received 1,700 international delegates attending the First Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) and Related Meetings in Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea has successfully secured funding and has improved its ratings in the World Bank.

A number of APEC economies have supported Papua New Guinea's initiative for policy dialogue on promoting women in agriculture and fisheries.

Exchanging views and ideas within fellow members of the Investment Experts' Group (IEG) is the most important concept right now.

A business enterprise that harnesses technology with beauty and talent is taking a step further to promote its products to APEC delegates at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

Focusing on digital platforms in the higher education sector is key to producing future qualified and competent workers in Papua New Guinea and to improving the abilities of the current workforce.

The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) will play host to 20 other member economies in the Investment Experts Group (IEG) Meeting in Port Moresby this weekend.

Small businesses within the APEC member economies are thriving and connecting to the regional and global market with assistance from the APEC SME working group.

The APEC Data Privacy Subgroup of the Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG) is looking forward to revising the APEC Privacy Framework (2015), which aims at promoting electronic commerce throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC's Economic Committee will be participating in several meetings and workshops in Port Moresby that commenced on Thursday 1 March through to Tuesday 6 to share economy experiences.

Papua New Guinea's leather craft is getting its own exposure in the sidelines of the ongoing APEC First Senior Officials' and Related Meetings in Port Moresby.

Hanamoa Organics, the proud producer of local virgin coconut oil (VCO) from Abau in Central province hopes to expand their market opportunities during APEC meetings.

Papua New Guinea delegates gained strong support from fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members when they proposed a couple of projects during the Sub-committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) Meeting at Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) set-up at Laguna Hotel, one of the APEC meeting venues in Port Moresby, has captured the interest of delegates from member economies.

Multi-hazard 'monitoring and warning systems' best practice is a way forward for Papua New Guinea to prepare for national disasters digitally.

The first-ever Chemical Dialogue hosting of Papua New Guinea welcomes discussions to improve systems in the chemical trade in the region.

The APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT) is formulating a multi-year plan to combat illegal logging while promoting legal trade of timbers and its products within the region.

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and APEC Chairman, Peter O’Neill, preparing for climate change panel discussions with former United States Vice President Al Gore at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in November and related officials meetings is an opportunity for further investment in the agriculture sector.

Gilbert Woimba and small business owner who operates APMA Carvers, says he puts Papua New Guinea first and the rest of the opportunities in business fall into place.

Senior Officials will convene on the 5-6th of December in Port Moresby to detail their priorities areas of cooperation during Papua New Guinea’s inaugural APEC chairmanship in 2018.

Port Moresby: An update on Papua New Guinea’s preparations for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2018, as well as an overview of the different occupational health and safety (OHS) systems managed by the PNG mineral and petroleum industry will be some of the key highlights of the PNG Mining and Petroleum Conference.

The Joint Task Force comprised of the Papua New Guinea disciplined forces, key stakeholders and the Australian police and military personnel have successfully completed a cooperative exercise to create a plan for the command and control centre of Security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2018 (APEC) here in Port Moresby.

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea reassures the nation that APEC will be hosted and leaders of the 21 Economies of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will come.

A combined forces exercise will see 15 participants receive certificates as trainers in a Public Order Management Course at the McGregor Special Services Division base here in Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea is contributing in small ways to sustain the environment and is taking a community level approach through tourism solutions for climate change.