PRIME MINISTER PETER O’NIELL ATTENDANCE AT THE G7 ISE – SHIMA SUMMIT OUTREACH MEETING, 27th May, 2016

The G7 Ise-Shima Summit was held from 26 – 27 May 2016 in Ise- Shima in the Mie Prefecture. On the occasion, the leaders of 7 countries (Bangladesh, Chad, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Papua New Guinea) were invited to the outreach meeting of the G7 Summit.

Heads of international organizations including the chairpersons of the UN, OECD, ADB, IMF and the World Bank were also invited.

At the outreach meeting, the leaders discussed issues relating to quality infrastructure investment, Asian stability and prosperity including open and stable seas and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with key issues of women and development in Africa.

In addressing the Outreach Meeting of G7, in his capacity as the Chair of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) as well as the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister O’Neill said he focused on quality infrastructure, the global economy, Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), the need for securing open and secure seas and the achievement for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly in health, women and development issue in Africa.

“PNG adopted the SDG’s in 2015 with the National development plans and policies aligned to Vision 2050 & Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2010-2030.

On the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), PNG is fully aware of its obligations and is making investments in key drivers of the economy, including improvements to these key social indicators,” PM O’Neill said.

In recognizing and appreciating humanity which is the key focus of the SDGs, Prime Minister O’Niell stated that the PNG Government is fostering multi-stakeholder partnership, guided by national ownership and leadership on human rights protection and promotion of this national development agenda.

PM O’Neill also commended Japan for the initiatives and re-assured PNG and the PIF countries’ support for these initiatives as these resonate well with the region’s (Pacific) own efforts towards ensuring security, promoting public health and ensuring of gender inclusiveness.

“Furthermore, at the global level, PNG’s efforts to safeguard and protect human rights are consistent with and guided by international commitments and obligations under several multilateral frameworks, including core human rights instruments,” PM O’Neill said.

During the outreach, PM O’Neill engaged in brief meetings with the Prime Ministers, Matteo Renzi (Italy), Justin Trudeau (Canada) and the Presidents Barrack Obama of USA and Hollande Francois of France.

PM O’Neill also met with leaders from international organizations such as World Bank, IMF, OECD, EU and the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.