Port Moresby | Thursday, 3 July 2025 — Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed
the approval of a groundbreaking US$63.4 million grant by the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
for Papua New Guinea — the country’s first-ever single-nation GCF project — marking a
major milestone in international recognition of PNG’s leadership in global climate action.
The GCF Board, meeting in Port Moresby this week for its historic 42nd Board session — the
first ever held in the Pacific — endorsed the REDD+ programme which will be managed by
the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on behalf of PNG.
The project aims to protect PNG’s vast rainforest ecosystems, promote sustainable livelihoods for customary landowners, and combat climate change by reducing deforestation and forest
degradation.
“This approval is a landmark for Papua New Guinea,” said Prime Minister Marape. “When I
opened the GCF Board meeting on Monday, I called for the Board to recognise the
urgency of climate action.
This funding shows that GCF is responding to our call and acknowledges PNG’s global role as custodian of an environmental treasure for all of
humanity.
I look forward to building this partnership with the Green Climate Fund to protect our biodiversity and uplift the lives of our people.”
GCF Executive Director Mafalda Duarte praised PNG’s leadership in climate conservation,
stating: “The approval of this US$63.4 million REDD+ programme shows GCF’s commitment
to supporting Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region. PNG holds the world’s third-
largest tropical rainforests, covering 78% of its land area, and is one of the few countries
globally that is carbon negative — its forests absorb more carbon than the country emits.
This funding will preserve these vital carbon sinks and support sustainable livelihoods for
local communities.”
Prime Minister Marape also noted the importance of this investment in the context of PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary, saying:
“As we mark 50 years as an independent nation,
this grant signals a new chapter of climate leadership by Papua New Guinea on the world
stage.”
In addition to the REDD+ project, the GCF Board also approved the ‘SOURCE Pacific
Drinking Water Project’ worth US$9 million, which will benefit the Marshall Islands, Tonga,
Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. PNG is expected to receive approximately half of the
total project funding.
The Marape Government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering climate justice and
sustainable development for future generations by strengthening global partnerships and
safeguarding the nation’s natural wealth.
“This is what the Marape-Rosso Government has been working toward: building the
infrastructure, passing the laws, creating the trade relationships, and empowering our
people to take their place in the global economy,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are not just exporting products — we are exporting the hard work of our people, the
quality of our resources, and the story of a resilient, resourceful, and forward-looking Papua
New Guinea.”
He also confirmed that the Government is working closely with the Bank of Papua New
Guinea to enable convertibility between the Papua New Guinea kina and the Chinese
yuan.
This will make trade transactions with China more efficient and affordable for
exporters and importers, and is part of the Government’s broader strategy to facilitate
seamless economic exchange across the Asia-Pacific region.
ENDS
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