Six Papua New Guinean researchers, supported by the Australian Government, presented their findings at the Third National Climate Change Summit on 1-2 October 2025 in Port Moresby.
PNG’s Third National Climate Change Summit, hosted by PNG’s Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) attracted over 200 participants from government, civil society, private sector, and Indigenous communities and youth to deliberate on PNG’s climate strategies. The Summit was opened by Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, Hon Simon Kilepa. The Australian High Commission was represented by Minister Counsellor Dr Cate Rogers, who also spoke at the opening ceremony.
The local research on climate resilience showcased at the Summit is supported by the Climate Change Research Grants scheme – an initiative of the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), supported by the Australian Government. The scheme aims to advance scientific and policy work, and enhance research capacity among professionals and students from key government and academic institutions.
One of the researchers, Dr. Patrick Michael, leads a team at University of Technology in Lae researching how to improve winged bean production and its contribution to food and nutritional security in PNG. The Climate Change Research Grant has enabled his team to examine the crop's potential as a staple food source that can withstand changing climate conditions.
Dr. Michael explained what inspired his research: “My motivation is basically climate change and our fear of not understanding how our crops, like sweet potato, taro, banana, cassava, and those few crops that are the livelihood of our local people, will perform under climate change. So, this research gives us the opportunity to get another crop, which we call underutilised crops.”
Australia’s partnership with CCDA on the Climate Change Research Grants reflects Australia’s broader commitment to supporting PNG’s leadership in building climate resilience. Australia’s Climate Finance Initiative for Resilience and Sustainable Transition (Climate FIRST) project aims to mobilise PGK1.7 billion in climate finance to support PNG’s transition to a low-carbon economy and enhance community resilience.
Just last week, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Corporation under Climate FIRST, to progress sustainable and inclusive economic growth through climate-resilient SMEs. This was the latest of many steps to progress this shared commitment to inclusive climate action and sustainable development between Australia and PNG.
Summit Group Photo
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