Announcement of Country Package Secretariat under Prime Minister's Department

Today, the EU Ambassador Erika Hasznos joined Prime Minister James Marape, Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu and French Ambassador Pierre Fournier in establishing the Country Package Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office.

The European Union is proud to stand together with Papua New Guinea and co-lead with France - as Team Europe - the transformative Country Package initiative. The Country Package represents a significant step forward to enhance collaboration and governance systems.

The EU- Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity programme, in short EU-FCCB, is currently the cornerstone and largest component of this initiative with an EU grant contribution of EUR 54.7 million/278 million kina.

It plays a critical role with contributions across five pillars:

1. Protected Areas and Conservation: Supporting expansion and sustainable projects like reforestation and community engagement.

2. Forest Management: Improving governance with digital systems and expert training.

3. Sustainable Financing: Advancing carbon finance, establishing a National Carbon Registry, and encouraging agroforestry.

4. Research and Education: Partnering with educational institutions for expanded courses and scholarships.

5. Monitoring Systems: Enhancing national systems for transparency and governance.

The EU is committed to aligning with Papua New Guinea's strategic priorities to build a sustainable, inclusive future.