Port Moresby, 6 February 2025 — Coordinated efforts among international donors are essential to improving the efficiency and impact of development cooperation in Papua New Guinea, government officials have stressed.
Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Koney Samuel, highlighted the importance of donor alignment during a meeting on Thursday with the Australian Deputy High Commissioner to PNG, Dr. Joanne Loundes.
Secretary Samuel provided an update on the new Development Cooperation Policy (DCP), currently being finalized by the department’s Development Cooperation Management Division (DCMD), under Acting First Assistant Secretary Reichert Thanda.
The DCP will serve as Papua New Guinea’s strategic framework for engaging international development partners, ensuring foreign aid aligns closely with national priorities as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan 2023-2027 (MTDP IV).
“The Development Cooperation Policy will guide each development partner on alignment, visibility, and coordination, while also ensuring effective tracking and reporting to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes,” Secretary Samuel explained.
This coordinated approach aims to maximize the benefits of foreign assistance by harmonizing efforts, avoiding duplication, and enhancing accountability to accelerate Papua New Guinea’s sustainable development goals.