PAPUA NEW GUINEA DECLINES TO ATTEND COP29 - A STAND AGAINST GLOBAL INDIFFERENCE

Wednesday 23th October, 2024 Press Release

Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, at the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States (CMMSS) in Apia Samoa, on Wednesday, announced that Papua New Guinea will not participate at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (UNFCCC COP 29) later this year at the political level. 

Papua New Guinea's stance is in defense of forest nations and small island states, against the non-action by nations that are major contributors to the worlds climate crisis.

Minister Tkatchenko emphasized that this decision reflects the broader frustration felt by nations like Papua New Guinea (PNG), who bear the brunt of climate change but see little to no meaningful support from the global community.

"Papua New Guinea is making this stand for the benefit of all small island nations. We will no longer tolerate empty promises and inaction, while our people suffer the devastating consequences of climate change."

Minister Tkatchenko highlighted Papua New Guinea's challenges of rising sea levels, and natural disasters including landslides, floods, and droughts. 

He added that despite contributing little to the global climate crisis, countries like PNG have been left grappling with the severe impacts.

Minister Tkatchenko stressed that Papua New Guinea is taking this stand for the benefit of all small island nations - recognising that there has not been much traction to help small states, particularly Pacific Island small states, who have had much difficulty with access to climate finance over recent years. 

He said that despite making high level representation at the UNFCC COP, nothing concrete has been forthcoming from the major multilateral meetings.

While he noted that the outcome of the CMMSS would prepare commonwealth countries to make collective representation at the forthcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan - to progress the commonwealth efforts on building resilient economies and associated environmental commitments, Minister Tkatchenko told the forum that Papua New Guinea will no longer listen to empty promises.

Minister Tkatchenko condemned the international community for failing to live up to its financial and moral commitments, leaving smaller nations like PNG to fend for themselves in the face of increasingly frequent and severe climate events.

"The pledges made by major polluters amount to nothing more than empty talk. They impose impossible barriers for us to access the crucial funds we need to protect our people. Despite repeated attempts, we have not received a single toea in support to date."

Minister Tkatchenko stressed that Papua New Guinea is one of the third biggest rain forest nations of the world, serving as the major 'lungs' of the world that cleans the carbon dioxide that major greenhouse gas emitters (countries) produce, thus is an integral global lifeline in saving the world and the planet from disaster.

“We need action, not more talk. The last three COP meetings have gone around in circles, producing no tangible results for small island states. COP29 will be no different, so PNG will not participate at the political level recognising the lack of respect for forest nations in the big carbon sink until some progress becomes evident to address the plight of PNG and other small states."

Minister Tkatchenko called attention to the hypocrisy surrounding global climate financing and the disregard for forest nations, which act as critical carbon sinks for the planet.

“The international community has shown a total lack of respect for countries like ours that play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. We are tired of being sidelined.”

Looking ahead, Minister Tkatchenko affirmed that Papua New Guinea would explore independent solutions to protect its people and natural assets, free from the empty promises of the global powers.

“If we must cut down our forests to sustain ourselves and develop our economy, so be it. Papua New Guinea will no longer wait for empty words while our people suffer. We are taking control of our destiny.”

This bold decision underscores Papua New Guinea’s frustration with the international community’s inaction and sends a clear message: forest nations and small island states deserve more than lip service—they deserve real, immediate action.

The Commonwealth comprises 56 countries of which 33 are small states both island and landlocked including 9 Pacific Island countries out of the total 42 Small States in the United Nations.

The CMMSS is convened prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and provides a platform for Foreign Affairs Ministers to discuss challenges confronting commonwealth small states, including concrete action to strengthen resilience of these countries building on existing global development frameworks for sustainable development.

The 2024 CMMSS focused on members efforts to advance the implementation of the Advocacy Strategy for Small States on: (i) mobilizing concerted action to build resilience to address economic vulnerability; (ii) enhance climate action; and (iii) support small states to build fiscal resilience and improve debt sustainability while amplifying advocacy on access to concessional development finance towards building resilient economies for small states in the Commonwealth.

For Immediate Release