Dede Sophie

The Commonwealth Observer Group that are observing the  Papua New Guinea National Elections  has called for immediate reforms to strengthen the election process. Commonwealth Observer Group calls for Urgent Review of PNG Election Process [Photo by NBC News] The Observer Group, led by former President of Nauru, Baron Waqa, has also called for a review of this current national election as a matter of urgency. The Group expressed sadness about the escalation in election-related violence and strongly condemn these acts of violence. Mr Waqa presented the Interim Statement of the Commonwealth Observer Group in Port Moresby yesterday. The Commonwealth Observer Group met voters, polling officials, political parties, security personnel, civil society and scrutineers, to understand the electoral process. This happened in all four regions of the country. Among the key issues of concern, is the highly centralised structure of the Electoral Commission, which has undermined the effective delivery of...

 Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says he is privileged to have met Japanese Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida in Tokyo today (Tuesday, September 27, 2022) before the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. PM Marape, one of many world leaders attending Abe’s funeral, had a bilateral meeting with PM Kishida at Akasaka Palace this morning. He was accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister Hon. Richard Maru, East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird and Papua New Guinea Ambassador to Japan H.E. Samuel Abal The Prime Minister, who is in Tokyo for a day before leaving for Washington DC to attend the Pacific Islands’ Summit, also met with executives of three top energy companies – Sojitz, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation and LNG Japan Corporation. He also met Japan Development Institute (JDI) CEO and Chairman Dr Shoichi Kobayashi to progress the special economic zone (SEZ) concept in PNG. “Today was just a short, one-day visit to Japan for me,...