Globalisation threatens security but provides trade opportunities

 GLOBALISATION provides opportunities for trade, investment and mobility of people, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato (pictured) says.

But he warned that it posed cross-border and trans-national issues that threatened the country’s security.

Pato was addressing a two-day conference attended by heads of diplomatic missions in Port Moresby yesterday. 

The theme of the conference is ‘connecting with purpose’.

“Why connect? Our country faces new and emerging social and political opportunities and challenges brought about by globalisation,” he said.

“It is important that we connect with purpose and grow those connections for the betterment for country and our people.

“Papua New Guinea is no longer a donor-recipient country. 

“We have recently become a contributor and partner to our friends in the region.”

Pato described the diplomats as the “eyes, ears and voice” of PNG and the people abroad. 

“It is our responsibility to distinguish between elements of globalisation that best serve the national interest and those which do not add value to Papua New Guinea’s interests and aspirations.

“Our efforts must be calibrated therefore and directed towards public-private partnerships that contribute to the security and development our country.”

He said the national government had renewed and established important connections through regional and global meetings.

Through these engagements, PNG has received dignitaries from many countries.

Pato said the conference served as a platform for the transformation of foreign services and Papua New Guinea’s diplomacy. 

He told the diplomats to deliberate on the department’s key strategies to:

• Establish mutually respectable and supportive cooperation with neighbours and regional partners;
• refocus on the Asia-Pacific;
• build partnerships with countries and international organisations which Papua New Guinea has  significant mutual interest with;
• be a good global citizens and;
• Promote capacity building.