NEW Zealand will increase its development assistance to PNG in the next two years.
This was the indication from prime minister Helen Clark when she met with Sir Michael Somare last week during the Apec meeting in Sydney, Australia.
Sir Michael said in a statement that in their discussions, Mrs Clark indicated that aid would be increased from the current NZ$16.5 million to NZ$23 million in 2008, and NZ$30 million by 2009.
He also expressed his appreciation to New Zealand for supporting PNG in the fight against HIV/ AIDS and Bougainville.
Their discussions also focused on issues for the upcoming Pacific Islands forum meeting in Tonga next month.
Sir Michael said New Zealand, increasingly a major and more relevant player in the region and globally, also agreed that climate change was definitely a global issue and the region must play its part in addressing this issue.
“I informed Mrs Clark of PNG’s continuing efforts as co-chair of the coalition of rainforest nations, and through the UNFCCC,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he was also able to make some progress on that issue when he later met with Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the first leaders retreat.

Type In Your Name:

Type In Your E-mail:

Your Friend's E-mail:

Your Comments:

Receive copy: