PNG hosts international judiciary meeting

JUDGES, registrars and magistrates from Commonwealth countries are in Port Moresby this week for the 2019 Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA) Conference.
This is the first time Papua New Guinea is hosting the CMJA conference, which is attended by magistrates and judges including chief justices of Commonwealth nations.
CMJA president and judge of the Higher Court of Malawi Justice Charles Mkandawire said the association was grateful to PNG for hosting the conference for the first time and as well being able to take on the challenges that came with it in terms of preparation and financing.
Mkandwire said the conference theme “Parliamentary Democracy and the Role of Judiciary” was what had been going on in many constitutional democracies in the Commonwealth.
He said the three-day conference in Port Moresby would focus on discussions on these issues. Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika said the PNG judiciary had a long association with the CMJA and had been a staunch supporter of the association and its work.
“It is a great pleasure for PNG to host the CMJA conference for the very first time this year,” Sir Gibbs said.
Delegates arrived in Port Moresby over the weekend with the opening on Sunday which was officiated by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae. The conference ends on Thursday.