**** Speech by Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP - Minister for Sports, National Events and APEC on behalf of Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP Prime Minister at the Opening of the Port Moresby International Convention Centre - 27 September 2016 ****

- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Sir Salamo India,
- Ministers of State,
- Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps,
- In particular, China’s Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency, Li Ruiyou
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
- Good afternoon.

Managing relations in the current global political and economic environment is a challenge for any country.

We are faced with many tests – right now this includes the fall in global commodity prices, economic slowdown in our trading partners and uncertainty in Europe.

But as a developing country, we must always find a way to advance our national interests, and maintain strong relations with our friends.

Papua New Guinea is a friend to all and an enemy to none…

I know this is a phrase used by many countries - but in Papua New Guinea…we mean it…

During the past week in the United Nations our ministers made very important contributions to advancing global issues.

This includes climate change, managing the asylum seeker and refugee crisis and the reform of the United Nations.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR 40 YEARS

One of our closest friends in the international community is the People’s Republic of China.

We work together in forums such as the United Nations, through APEC and as partners in the Pacific region.

Importantly, our two countries are now reaching a milestone in our bilateral relationship – celebrating 40 years of formal recognition.

Global politics has seen a lot of change during these 40 years.

But today, I can say that the relationship between China and Papua New Guinea is stronger than ever.

We have deep understanding of each other’s interests and concerns, and we are prepared to state our positions.

Our country respects and upholds a one China policy - we work with Beijing as our counterpart to Port Moresby.

Regardless of the difference in our population size, we also have a lot in common.

China and Papua New Guinea are cultures that are tens of thousands of years old in history and tradition.

But we are also modernising countries where we are combining this tradition with economic advancement.

In the coming years I hope that we see greater social interaction between our countries, and people-to-people interaction further increasing.

Soon we expect to announce the first regular commercial flights between Papua New Guinea and China.

We will be inviting Chinese tourists to come to Papua New Guinea, and we will see more of our students travel to China.

MALARIA ELIMINATION ACTION PLAN

There are a number of other areas in which our countries are working together to advance relations and deliver benefits to our people.

Today, I am announcing a strengthening of the partnership between Papua New Guinea and China – through a program that will help to eliminate Malaria in our country.

Working with China, and in particular the Province of Guanzouh, we will be launching a program to eliminate Malaria province-by-province in our country.

Malaria is one of the most common diseases affecting the majority of our rural people, as well as the disadvantaged in our urban areas.

The disease has its worst impact on our children and young mothers.

It affects growth and learning in our next generation, undermines economic productivity and places a huge burden on our healthcare budget.

But the reality is that we can fight Malaria and reduce the cost to our society.

No one should die from Malaria, and the disease can be overcome though both prevention and treatment.

We have already had success in reducing the spread of malaria in Papua New Guinea – a decline of 70 per cent in most areas.

But there are places where interventions have not been as successful - and we need to step up our efforts in these locations.

Through our partnership with China we aim to reduce malaria incidence in project areas by 95%.

Working together, we will deliver the Papua New Guinea “Malaria Elimination Action Plan” over three years.

As part of this program, China will assist with resources, and will train and build technical capacity in Papua New Guinea for malarial control and elimination.

In targeted areas, medication will be rolled out, particularly using Arte-quick. 

This is a fourth-generation anti-malarial compound that has proven effective in other locations.

China has proven success in eliminating malaria in parts of Africa and Asia where this program has been active. 

We thank China for its commitment to the health of our people and the delivery of this program.

I further congratulate Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Honorable Michael Malabag, who has worked with our friends in China and Guanzouh to advance this life-saving program.

This joint program between Papua New Guinea and China will save lives and strengthen future generations.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

Today we stand in a new building, a building that is a testament to China and Papua New Guinea’s friendship.

The International Convention Centre is a project that has taken several years to complete and has faced its challenges along the way.

But we stand in this building today knowing that it will be home to so many of the major events that will be hosted by Papua New Guinea in the years to come.

Already this building has hosted two major APEC events, and a regional judges conference, this year that tested the facility and was widely praised by our international visitors.

Then in May and June this year we hosted 79 countries for the 8th Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Leaders Summit.

This centre was seen in media around the world and displayed another example of the development of Papua New Guinea as a nation that is changing.

We thank China for its commitment to deliver this project for our country.

In the coming years the leaders of many nations will meet under this roof.

In particular, in 2018 we all know that Papua New Guinea will host APEC.

The APEC Leaders’ Summit will take place in November in 2018 and this centre will host the ABAC dialogue and CEO Summit.

This will bring together the Prime Ministers and Presidents of our APEC countries with senior businesspeople from around the world.

Hosting APEC in 2018 does bring challenges, but through the delivery of infrastructure such as this building, the challenges are reduced.

When we host APEC the world will see more of modern Papua New Guinea.

The world will see an economy that is open for business, and a country that is rich in culture, and a country that is inviting the world to visit.

May this building be a lasting monument to the success of both our nations, and to the success of the relationship between Papua New Guinea and China.

MOVING FORWARD

At this time, I further extend congratulations for the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in the year 1949.

This is yet another milestone in the history of your nation.

As a Government, we thank the leadership in Beijing, and the representatives of China with us today, for your friendship and support.

Through you, Ambassador Li, I extend our nation’s best wishes and gratitude to his Excellency, President Xi Jinping, and His Excellency, Premier Li Keqiang, and thank them for their hospitality and goodwill during our recent Official Visit to China.

We look forward to continuing to growing and advancing our relationship over the next 40 years.

Thank you.