Programme aims to strengthen collaboration

From left seated: Representative from the Bougainville House of Representative, Parliament clerk Kala Aufa, Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp and parliamentary staff during the signing last week in Port Moresby. – Picture supplied

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a five-year parliamentary support programme last week to strengthen collaboration between the National Parliament and Bougainville House of Representatives.
The programme would focuses on support members of the two parliaments strengthen legislatures to debate matters of public interest.
UNDP resident representative Dirk Wagener said the programme would highlight the importance of the parliament and how it was a place to discuss, debate and to never underestimate resolutions.
Wagener said the International Day of Parliamentarism celebrated the role of every parliament and there was much for Papua New Guinea to be proud of.
“The parliamentary support programme was built to appreciate the role of a parliamentarian and support staff and incoming members of the parliament many of whom we hope would be women,” he said.
Clerk of the National Parliament Kala Aufa said the programme would support the existing five-year parliamentary partnership agreement between the parliaments.