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DEC to set up Authority

The Department has been working at transforming into the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA).

Minister for Environment and Conservation, Hon. Benny Allan said in the key note address at the PNG Mining and Petroleum Environment Seminar at the Crowne Plaza in Port Moresby.

The CEPA would fund regulatory activities by recovering the cost of undertaking environment approvals and compliance activities from companies. The CEPA recovery model is not designed to generate revenue but to ensure the authority has funding necessary to undertake best practice environmental regulation work. CEPA will be initiating a policy of consultation and review soon after its establishment to determine the changes needed to improve the operations of the Act.

The protected area acts managed by the department will also be reviewed with the CEPA with the intent of developing an integrated protected area Act that can be used effectively by the government to significantly increase the level and extent of biodiversity in PNG. Improving biodiversity protection in PNG will also involve the governments identifying areas which are of national and global significance for biodiversity and focusing funding and resource on ensuring that areas are effectively protected and sustainably financed.

Mr. Allan further noted that the authority would have the ability to recruit staff on competitive terms and conditions and have access to the best available expertise whether local or international as required for under these functions.

DEC special projects director Gunther Joku said about the CEPA Bill, that the National Executive Council (NEC) endorsed the separation of DEC into a statutory authority.


PNG Delegation to CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia– May 2009

Heads of states of the six coral triangle countries (CT6) gathered at Manado, Indonesia on May 15, 2009 to discuss the key role of oceans and the threats they face. From Papua New Guinea the PM Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare led a Delegation from the PM Departments Ministry and Department of Environment & Conservation, Fisheries and Foreign Affairs.
During the Leaders Summit the Regional Plan of Action was launched by the Ministers and Presidents of respective states and countries.
CTI Senior Officials Meeting, Port Moresby - 2009

The third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3) with the inaugural Ministerial meeting which was staged in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. This meeting saw Senior Officials of the CTI finalize the Regional Plan of Action (RPoA) for the CT6 ministers to sign.
CTI Regional Plan of Action - Port Moresby 2009

One of the many inter-agency meetings where stake holders met to discuss PNG’s input towards the Regional Plan of Action (RPoA). The Department of Environment & Conservation is the core driver of this initiative supported by Fisheries and the Foreign Affairs Departments.
World Environment Day 2009

The 2009 World Environment Day (WED) celebrations were the culmination of an open and very inter active media campaign designed to create strong linkages with all environment friendly groups, organizations and raise greater public awareness to stimulate public interest on the theme for the day.

WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.