Joint Media Statement: PNG Prime Minister and Bougainville President
Meeting between Prime Minister James Marape and President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Ismael Toroama
Prime Minister James Marape and President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama met today in Port Moresby.
The meeting, which is the first to take place in Port Moresby since President Toroama’s election, provided an opportunity for the two Governments to lay the foundations for a successful meeting of the Join Supervisory Body (JSB) later this month, and post referendum consultations which will begin next year.
Both Prime Minister Marape and President Toroama reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing peace process, noting the need for constructive dialogue.
The two Leaders agreed to consider options for a moderator to aid the post referendum consultation process, with a formal decision on a likely candidate to be made when JSB meets.
The meeting also considered outstanding resolutions from previous JSB meetings, including the drawdown of powers, inter-governmental financing arrangements, the transfer of the National Government’s shareholding in Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) and Prime Minister Marape’s commitment to streamline the process for allocating funds to the Autonomous Region in the national budget.
Both Leaders affirmed the need for continued work to finalise the weapons disposal process and to secure economic investment for the region to aid long term growth and support local industries.
The Prime Minister and President expressed confidence in the peace process going forward and undertook to remain in close contact in the lead up to their next meeting in Kokopo later this month.
The Pre-JSB Meeting gave President Ishmael Toroama an opportunity to present his Six (6) Point Strategic Plan that outlines his political vision for Bougainville. Political Control (Independence), Economic Growth and Control, Administrative Control, Mobilizing Private Sector and Civil Society, Long Term Vision and Planning and International Relations.
PNG Prime Minister Hon. James Marape
and
President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Hon. Ishmael Toroama
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