Today marked the beginning of Administrator Samantha Power's multi-day trip to Papua New Guinea - the first ever visit to the country by a USAID Administrator. After beginning the day at a church service in Tatana village, she traveled to Morata Settlement to meet with women entrepreneurs and community members who play a role in the United States' partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia, Japan and New Zealand to increase energy access in Papua New Guinea. While there, she announced an additional $1.2 million of catalytic capital from USAID to support the creation of a solar mini-grid system in the Central Province in partnership with a private sector company. This new mini-grid will provide electricity to at least 800 households and 30 businesses, improving clean energy access for nearly 5,000 people, with an eye toward demonstrating the commercial viability of such projects and serving as a proof point for additional private sector investments.
Administrator Power then participated in a bilateral meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and members of his Cabinet. The two discussed the long-standing partnership between USAID and Papua New Guinea, and how the broader relationship with the U.S. government is predicated on the essential and interconnected work of diplomacy, defense, and development. They also discussed how USAID can support Papua New Guinea's objectives of tackling the climate crisis, reducing gender-based violence, electrifying the country, and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
At a joint press conference, Administrator Power announced alongside Prime Minister Marape the launch of USAID's Country Representative Office in Port Moresby, which elevates USAID's presence in the region and fulfills the commitment President Biden made at the first Pacific Island summit in September of 2022. Administrator Power shared that President Biden looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Marape and Pacific Islands Forum leaders back to Washington this fall for a second Summit.
At the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, Administrator Power heard from intergenerational women leaders about the complex challenges women and girls face in Papua New Guinea, including the high rates of gender-based violence and sexual assault, and spoke to USAID's role in encouraging respect for human rights and work to improve livelihoods.
Finally, Administrator Power met with representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce Coral Sea, which was launched with support from USAID, to discuss efforts to spur economic growth in the region by crowdsourcing reforms, match-making business opportunities, and creating stronger economic ties between the United States and Papua New Guinea.
