**** Attendance at 48th Pacific Islands Forum will benefit PNG: Foreign Affairs & Trade Minister 4 September 2017 ****

Participation by Papua New Guinea in the 48th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting will benefit the country in many ways, the Foreign Affairs & Trade Minister Rimbink Pato MP, said in Samoa today.

The Minister is attending the meeting being held in Apia, Samoa from 4-8 September, 2017. The Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is expected to arrive in Apia on Tuesday S1h September 2017.

Mr Pato said PNG will emphasise in discussions with regional leaders the importance of measures to boost economic returns to member nations, conserve natural resources and provide employment towards the greater enhancement of the Framework for Pacific Regionalism.

"We will continue to support sustainable fisheries initiatives, to build the capacity of local fishing industries and to support export arrangements," Mr Pato said.

The Foreign Affairs & Trade Minister said Papua New Guinea is committed to regional moves designed to provide significant improvements in the lives of citizens, such as:

- Airlines collaborating to improve travel between Pacific countries

- Better Labour mobility and visa arrangements

- Partnerships between BSP, local banks, and financial institutions

- Assistance to improve electoral processes from the Forum Secretariat, and India

- Economic partnership with the United Kingdom in wake of Brexit.

Papua New Guinea's longest serving Foreign Minister expressed PNG's support to the host country Samoa for the theme: "The Blue Pacific: Our Sea of Islands- Our Security through Sustainable Development, Management and Conservation. He also reiterated support for Fiji in implementing climate change initiatives.

"I also welcome the presence of good friends Australia and New Zealand at the forum, "Mr Pato said, citing the successful conclusion of RAMSI in the Solomon Islands. PNG also made a significant contribution, sending 400 troops between 2003-13 and more than l 00 police, and continues to support the security forces there.

"We support the expanded concept of security inclusive of human security, humanitarian assistance, prioritising environmental security and regional cooperation in building resilience to disasters and climate change," he said.

Mr Pato referred to the leadership shown by Secretary-General of the Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, a former PNG Diplomat, and praised her implementation of leaders' decisions, as well as governance and financial reforms, over the past three years.