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Papua New Guinea Sets Sights on Sustainable Development Goals with 2025 VNR Inception Workshop
In a significant gathering aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Papua New Guinea (PNG) commenced its 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Inception Workshop today.
Key leaders from the government, civil society, and international organizations convened to discuss progress, challenges, and the path forward for sustainable development in the country.
Angela Kearney, the UNICEF Representative to PNG, addressed the assembly on behalf of UN Resident Coordinator Richard Howard, emphasizing the importance of the VNR as an evidence-based tool for tracking progress on the SDGs.
“This process will allow us to identify challenges, propose solutions, and leverage policy changes to strengthen our institutional arrangements,” Kearney stated.
She noted that PNG’s second VNR will be presented at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York in 2025, showcasing the nation’s progress to the global community.
Highlighting the achievements noted in the 2020 VNR, Kearney cited improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates, increased immunization coverage, and a reduction in extreme poverty.
However, she urged participants to focus on pressing issues, such as inadequate funding for education, which currently sits below 4% of GDP, leading to crumbling infrastructure and a critical shortage of teachers.
Koney Samuel, Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, echoed these sentiments, asserting the PNG government’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
“Sustainable development requires collaboration among all stakeholders—government, civil society, private sector, and the youth,” he stated.
Samuel expressed gratitude to development partners, particularly the UN agencies, for their ongoing support, emphasizing that the VNR is not merely a reporting exercise but a chance to reflect on achievements and address existing gaps.
He called for practical ideas to improve national statistics, an area in which PNG faces ongoing challenges. “Accurate and timely data is essential not only for our SDG reporting but also for our broader national development frameworks,” he said, urging all stakeholders to contribute relevant data to ensure a comprehensive VNR.
Both Kearney and Samuel highlighted the need for inclusive participation in the VNR process, encouraging all sectors to engage actively in discussions over the next two days.
“This workshop is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the transformative vision of the SDGs,” Samuel concluded.
As PNG embarks on this critical review process, the stakes are high. With only six years remaining to achieve the SDGs, the collaborative efforts initiated at this workshop will be vital in shaping a sustainable future for all Papua New Guineans.
The commitment to partnerships, as underscored by both speakers, will be essential in overcoming the challenges ahead and translating aspirations into tangible results.
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