Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Australia and Papua New Guinea leaders come together at inaugural board meeting

More than 1200 Papua New Guineans from both the public service and the private sector are making a difference in their work places this year thanks to important training provided through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

This was among the highlights of the inaugural sitting of the Precinct’s Executive Advisory Board in Port Moresby today (December 1).

The Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to support efforts to develop ethical leaders and to build the capacity of the Papua New Guinea public and private sector.

Department of Personnel Management Secretary John Kali and Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology Professor David Kavanamur and Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis were among those attending the Executive Advisory Board Meeting. 

Secretary Kali said the Precinct supported Papua New Guinea’s strong public sector reform agenda.

“The public service is undergoing a process of modernisation that will ensure it is equipped to meet the challenges that Papua New Guinea faces as it looks to the future.”

“The Precinct is underpinned by the Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy,” Mr Kali said.

“These are key policies that will drive us towards PNG Vision 2050.”

Training offered through the Precinct is tailored to suit the needs of existing and emerging leaders in the workforce. It includes Australian-certified diploma level training through the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration; economics at UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy; and short courses on topics such as extractive industries, leadership and innovation in agriculture, and Women on Boards.

High Commissioner Davis said: “The Precinct demonstrates the modern partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia.”

“This joint initiative will continue to develop capable and ethical public sector leaders, who are aware of their important role in the development of PNG and the region”.

“A strong public service is vital for sustained economic growth and improved service delivery.”

The meeting was chaired by Father Jan Czuba. Other members of the board are private sector representative David Guinn, eminent Australian businessman Tony Shepherd, Catholic Archbishop Douglas Young and Dame Meg Taylor, Secretariat of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

Members of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct Executive Advisory Board during the inaugural sitting today.