Cabinet names Tsiamalili as B’ville climate envoy

CABINET has appointed Bougainville Regional MP Peter Tsiamalili Jr as the Bougainville climate envoy.
Tsiamalili, in accepting the appointment, noted the significance of the role and the importance of addressing the climate emergency that the Autonomous Region of Bougainville continued to face.
“The people of Bougainville know more than most about the impact of climate change,” he said.
“Bougainville saw the world’s first climate refugees, and today the people of the Carterets Islands face an immediate threat to their lives and livelihood.”
Tsiamalili also spoke of the need for urgent funding and work to support long term action to both mitigate against the impact of climate change for the people of the Atolls region.
“I am pleased that the National Government has agreed to made available funds to assist our people.
“This will include K5 million to identify land resources for the resettlement of Atoll islanders, K3 million to settle outstanding liabilities to enable the resumption of shipping services utilising the mv Chebu and K2 million for urgent food and medical supplies for impacted residents.
“As the Bougainville climate envoy, I will be sending a strong message to the world about the impact of climate change on our people.
“I will be reaching out to key partners, as well as multilateral institutions to formulate strategies to ensure that we can protect our people against the dangers of rising sea levels.”