Papua New Guinea and Norway see eye to eye in fight against global warming

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Somare and Norway’s Prime Minister Stoltenberg met in Oslo today. The two prime ministers had an interesting discussion on global climate change, the importance of fighting deforestation and on the need for developing and developed countries to cooperate to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Papua New Guinea has played a leading role in the international climate change negotiations. Norway is a significant donor to international efforts to reduce deforestation in developing countries.

“These talks were part of an ongoing dialogue between our two countries on climate change issues. Norway and Papua New Guinea agree on the importance of achieving an ambitious, global climate regime in Copenhagen next year, which includes measures to reduce emissions from deforestation in developing countries,” comments Prime Minister Stoltenberg.

“We also agree that rich countries should shoulder the main burden under the new climate regime. At the same time, we need the developing countries to take part in these efforts. We commend Papua New Guinea for taking a lead role among developing countries regarding climate change.”

“Norway’s leadership related to both climate change and tropical forestry is catalyzing a much needed paradigm shift – rich and poor countries constructing a common vision for a healthier world,” said Prime Minister Somare. “To succeed, we must redraw the economic theories of old in order to fairly value the earth’s ecosystem service – particularly those of the last great tropical rainforests.”

Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg met with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Michael Somare thursday. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister. 

The two country’s governments agree, moreover, on the paramount importance of fighting deforestation in order to meet the necessary global reductions of green house gas emissions. To achieve this, it will be necessary to develop international standards for monitoring, assessing, measuring and verifying reductions of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Efforts to this effect are a priority for both countries. Papua New Guinea has asked the UN Collaborative Program on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD) to support them in their efforts. The initial phase of the UN REDD program is financed in full by Norway, for at total amount of 35 million USD. Norway thus supports Papua New Guinea’s national REDD strategy design and implementation. More support may be given to Papua New Guinea on the basis of measurable results.  

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