PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare was among a select group of world leaders invited to a private dinner hosted by the UN Secretary General for their contributions to the issue of climate change.
“It was a privilege for me to represent Papua New Guinea at this gathering of eminent leaders. This honour given to me reflects the hard work that we have done over the last couple of years. It shows that we are now being recognised by the international community and the United Nations for our efforts in addressing climate change,” he said.
In 2005 at Columbia University, Sir Michael gave his first address on the need for developing countries, especially rainforest nations, to be given positive incentives to reducing carbon emissions that cause climate change.
Since then, Sir Michael has pushed the issue at the many world meetings that he attends, including Apec and Commonwealth heads of government meetings.
Sir Michael said: “PNG cannot do this alone. Collectively, through the establishment of the coalition for rainforest nations, we have been able to attract the assistance of world leaders like the UN Secretary General.”
Sir Michael said those present included leaders from rainforest nations of Congo, Ghana, Cameroon, Antigua and Papua New Guinea.
Among the G8 leaders and developed nations that attended were the US, France, Germany and Italy.
“PNG was the only nation from the Pacific Region that was invited.
“The Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, has assured me that he was giving climate change special attention at the UN,” said Sir Michael.

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