30 July 2014

PNG and Australia working together to deliver sustainable economic growth

Officials from Papua New Guinea and Australia held annual Partnership for Development talks today.

The talks were held at Crowne Plaza, Port Moresby, and led by Acting Secretary Juliana Kubak of PNG's Department of National Planning and Monitoring and Deputy Secretary Ewen McDonald of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"The talks demonstrate the continuing close relationship between our two countries,” Mr McDonald said.

“We were able to cover a range of topics, including Australia’s new aid policy, Australian Aid: Promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, enhancing stability, which was released by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, last month."

The policy has a focus on reducing poverty and lifting living standards through sustainable economic growth.

Officials agreed to a range of outcomes that will inform a program of work over the next 12 months. This includes setting new, rigorous, benchmarks to measure aid performance against mutual commitments; developing a framework to guide efforts to create a stronger enabling environment for private sector-led sustainable economic development, including agriculture; and work to revise the Partnership Agreement to ensure it reflects the policy priorities of both countries.

“Transport infrastructure, health, education and law and justice will remain at the foundation of Australia's support,” Ms Kubak said.

'The year ahead is an exciting one. We have set ourselves an ambitious agenda. There is much that needs to be done. Delivering on our commitments will greatly contribute to the lives of PNG's people, particularly women and children,” added Mr McDonald