Australia and the Western Provincial Government launched the PNG-Australia Western Province Strategy in Daru on 7 November 2022.
The Strategy follows on from the memorandum of understanding signed in 2021 and documents the shared vision for an inclusive, healthy, educated, stable and economically prosperous Western Province.
The Western Province Strategy also reflects what was bilaterally agreed upon at the national level in the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP) to drive growth, enhance stability and improve service delivery.
Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp (left) and Western Governor, Taboi Awi Yoto signing the documents before the official launch.
The Strategy is set out along three pillars of action – improvement in human development, economic development and enabling infrastructure, stability and security – and is informed by the New Way Forward – Western Province Development Plan and PNG’s Medium Term Development Plan.
Australia’s support to Western Province in recent years has already included activities related to these three pillars, such as priority upgrades at the Daru General Hospital, establishing the Mabudawan Health Centre and upgrading the Daru electricity grid. Australia has also supported the province in the face of specific health security threats, such as Tuberculosis and COVID-19 and enhanced security with strengthened border management and partnerships with defence operations.
The Western Province Strategy is a feature of Australia’s support for PNG’s Medium Term Development priorities. It sets out a coordinated approach to the delivery of Australia’s development assistance across sectors, such as health and infrastructure, includes partnerships with relevant Australian Government agencies such as the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Defence Force, and capitalises on the use of local resources and knowledge for a more efficient and effective delivery of shared development goals.
Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp (left) and Western Governor, Taboi Awi Yoto with copies of the joint strategy.
Launching the joint Strategy, Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp acknowledged the collaboration with the Western Provincial Administration and Governor Taboi Awi Yoto in drafting the strategy and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to align with the Provincial Development Plan - New Way Forward.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100