Australia is supporting Papua New Guinea in accelerating its transition toward climate-resilient development, with Morobe Province taking a major step forward.
Recently, a two-day Climate-Resilient Green Growth (CRGG) Strategy Validation Workshop was held in Lae under the Australia-funded Climate Finance Initiative for Resilience and a Sustainable Transition (Climate FIRST) project.
The workshop reinforces Australia’s partnership with PNG on climate change adaptation and resilience.
Convened by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders.
These included provincial leaders, national government agencies, development partners, and representatives of the private sector.
The focus was to validate Morobe’s CRGG Strategy and prioritise key investments for sustainable development.
Participants supported climate-resilient interventions across agriculture, transport, and water sectors, while identifying a pipeline of projects, including renewable energy, climate-proof infrastructure, and improved waste and water management systems, to be developed into bankable investments by 2027.
The Morobe workshop builds on earlier progress, including the recent validation workshop held in Eastern Highlands where stakeholders endorsed the Eastern Highlands CRGG Strategy 2026–2032.
That workshop positioned Eastern Highlands among the first provinces to integrate climate resilience and green growth into subnational planning and budgeting processes.
Together, these provincial milestones demonstrate the growing momentum of locally led climate action across PNG.
They highlight the importance of empowering provinces to identify priorities, strengthen investment pipelines, and access climate finance for long-term resilience.
The Climate FIRST project is an Australian-supported flagship climate resilience program implemented by GGGI PNG to strengthen PNG’s access to climate finance.
As provinces like Morobe and Eastern Highlands continue to advance their CRGG strategies, PNG is strengthening a coordinated, nationwide approach to climate-resilient development, ensuring that the country is better prepared for the challenges ahead.
ENDS
Quotes to Attribute:
Provincial Planner with the Morobe Provincial Administration, Mr Gordon Aking:
“Developing a CRGG plan for Morobe Province is like setting up a platform for sharing resources to deliver climate resilient projects in the province. This is where we want to identify priority investments for managing climate change impacts and plan to deliver them.”
Deputy Provincial Administrator of Morobe, Mr. Robin Kiki:
“It has been an inspiring journey for us to promote climate-resilient green growth in the province and I’m fully grateful to have such a dedicated and proactive team that had worked hard on developing the Morobe CRGG strategy.”
GGGI Country Representative for PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, Mr. Muhammad Ali Shaik:
“Climate resilient mainstreaming was a new concept when we started last year and in these two years, Morobe has made strong progress as the province had worked hard in bringing citizens forward, building understanding and creating real momentum.
DNPM Assistant Secretary Aid Effectiveness/Regional/UN Branch, Mr. Alex Ginet:
“I acknowledge the Australian Government for the Climate FIRST and the support that they provide to the government. I am happy that we are in the validation process that GGGI is providing.”
Mr. Zambuna Gina: Provincial Environmental Health Officer and Stanley Sura: Wash Officer (both with Angau Hospital).
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100