PNG to spend K2 million on COP30 delegation, majority funded by development partners

Papua New Guinea’s participation in the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil from 10th to 21st November will cost the government around K2 million, covering 20 percent of the delegation’s expenses.

Prime Minister James Marape will lead the PNG delegation, which includes Minister for Environment and Climate Change Simo Kilepa, Forest Minister Salio Waipo, and officials from government agencies.

Minister Kilepa confirmed that the remaining 80 percent of the costs will be covered by development partners and implementing agencies, including private and non-government organization representatives attending the conference.

“PNG is not just making numbers at COP30,” Minister Kilepa said. “Attendance is an international obligation. Outcomes from these talks will shape our domestic climate policies and laws.”

Debra Sungi, Acting Managing Director of the Climate Change and Development Authority, highlighted the significance of Brazil hosting the Amazon rainforest.

“It’s an opportunity for forest nations to speak with one voice about their global contribution as carbon sinks,” she said.

The government says the taxpayer-funded portion is a necessary investment to ensure PNG’s priorities on finance, technology transfer, and capacity building under the Paris Agreement are clearly represented at the conference.