APEC discussions enable Papua New Guineans to take part in Global Issues

The APEC discussion series was a highlight, enabling Papua New Guineans to take part in APEC by interacting with government, business leaders and international and local experts bringing important discussions from the APEC meeting rooms to the public.

The importance of the initiative has been recognized by other APEC nations and will now be replicated by next year’s APEC host, Chile.

The discussion series events structure included two parts; a keynote address by an international expert or a PNG leader followed by an expert panel discussion with audience participation.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG Bruce Davis said this was the first time APEC had brought important discussions from closed meeting rooms out into the wider public.
“By bringing together leading Papua New Guinean and international experts, the discussion series ensured strong attendance, with enthusiastic audience participation leading to lively discussions,” he said.

The discussion series covered a diverse range of topics including trade, agriculture, health, mining, women in leadership, small and medium enterprise, financial integration and digital economy.

More than 3,500 people attended, listened and engaged with 40 local and international experts at the University of Papua New Guinea’s new lecture theater in Port Moresby and at the University of Technology in Lae. The events were also recorded and broadcast on NBC television and radio, reaching four million Papua New Guineans.

Teachers also commended the Australian government for their support, resources, time and effort to strengthen the PNG education system and other priority areas.
The new lecture theater at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) was constructed with assistance from the Australian Government. UPNG is a core partner of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct and is the historic home for discussions on topics of national importance.

The university is also the home of the new school of business and public policy, which was opened by the prime ministers of Australia and PNG during APEC Leaders’ Week.
The Discussion Series will continue throughout 2019 and will provide the public with access to experts, leaders, new ideas and a place for discussion on issues of national importance.
Government leaders from PNG who attended the discussion series events included Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel, Health Minister Sir Puka Temu, Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato and Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra.

Australian government speakers included Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mark Coulton, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance Zed Seselja, APEC Ambassador Simon Newnham and Ambassador for Women and Girls Dr Sharman Stone.
A number of significant international experts also presented in 2018, including 

representatives from the World Health Organisation, the APEC Secretariat, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and Grow Asia.

 Source: Post Courier newspaper