MEDIA RELEASE
14 June 2007
For immediate release
HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS WESTERN PROVINCE
The Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, is in Western Province this week as part of his plan to visit as many corners of PNG as he can.
Mr Moraitis said: “This is my first trip to Western Province since I arrived in PNG late last year. It is the latest in the growing list of provinces I’ve been fortunate enough to visit so far. PNG has an enormous cultural, geographical and linguistic diversity and I am determined to get to know PNG as well as possible.”
Mr Moraitis is visiting a fish farming project today - the Sustainable Aquaculture Project in Daru – as part of his three-day trip to the province.
The project, which is being supported by the PNG Sustainable Development Program, farms young and small fish, known as fingerlings, and also supplies them to natural spawning and breeding sites managed by local communities.
Mr Moraitis said: “I was pleased to accept this invitation as part of my visit to Western Province. The Australian Government is committed to achieving the conservation of the environment both in Australia and internationally so it is always a pleasure to visit projects that are pursuing a sustainable future.”
Mr Moraitis will also meet the new managing director of Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), Alan Breen, during a visit to the copper and gold mine in Tabubil.
Australia signed an agreement with Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) last August to help communities in Western Province develop a sustainable future.
The agreement signed between the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and OTML aims to ensure that locals can sustain their livelihoods once the mine ceases to operate around 2012.
It commits ACIAR and OTML to develop the agriculture, fisheries and forestry resources of Western Province through joint research projects.
Media Inquiries: Raymond Palangat, Public Diplomacy Officer, T: 325 9333 ext 454