On March 5, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman met with John Rosso, Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. The two officials underscored the importance of the Pacific Islands region and the bilateral relationship. The Deputy Administrator reinforced how USAID's expanding presence in Papua New Guinea through its recently opened Country Representative Office will enhance partnerships and deliver tangible benefits on local priorities, including climate and economic growth. They affirmed their governments' shared intent to closely partner on energy access and reliability, women's protection and empowerment, and environmental conservation. They also discussed strengthening our partnership to combat trafficking in persons, and acknowledged the need for continued conflict and violence prevention efforts including the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability.
The Deputy Administrator reinforced USAID's commitment to the people of Papua New Guinea, working together on the region's 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and to strengthen our relationship by listening, partnering, and delivering on Papua New Guinea's development plan.
