Shaping the future of biodiversity conservation in PNG
THIS week, UNDP is supporting the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in conducting the final round of regional consultations on Papua New Guinea's new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in Kokopo, East New Britain.More than 40 participants from across the New Guinea Islands Region are taking part, representing the provincial governments of East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, Manus, and the Autonomous Bougainville Government, alongside civil society organizations, NGOs, the private sector, academia, and development partners.
UNDP has a long history of supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea in fulfilling its commitments under international environmental agreements. The revised NBSAP will align the country's biodiversity priorities with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework—a landmark global agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.Speaking at the workshop, CEPA's director for projects and Donor Coordination, Rose Waigl Alphonse, highlighted the importance of an inclusive consultation process to ensure that the priorities and challenges of every region are reflected in the updated strategy."One important component of this consultation process is policy alignment between national and provincial governments.
The alignment of provincial development plans with the strategy will ensure a bottom-up approach to its implementation," she stated.East New Britain's deputy provincial administrator for socio-economic services, Alkan Mararang, also underscored the importance of protecting PNG's rich natural heritage, stating: "We are custodians of biodiversity on this planet, and our island region is vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. The work put into the NBSAP will help safeguard us from natural disasters."To ensure the voices of future generations are heard, students from the University of Natural Resources and Environment are also participating in the workshop, highlighting the growing role of youth in environmental conservation. Following the regional consultations, a national validation workshop will be held in Port Moresby to review, refine, and endorse the draft NBSAP before its finalization and adoption later this year.
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