EU-STREIT PNG Programme's 5th Programme Steering Committee Meeting: A Milestone in Advancing Rural Development in Papua New Guinea

Vanimo, Papua New Guinea – The EU-funded UN-joint STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea successfully convened its 5th Programme Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting in Vanimo, the Capital of West Sepik Province, bringing together a distinguished gathering of high-ranking officials and representatives from the National and Provincial Governments and Administrations, the donor (the European Union Delegation), and the United Nations agencies. Held on 2 August 2023, the meeting marked a momentous occasion in the journey towards sustainable development and rural transformation in the greater Sepik region of Papua New Guinea.

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, generously supported by the European Union, has been dedicated to promoting inclusive growth, enhancing food and nutrition security, and uplifting the livelihoods of rural communities. At the heart of this endeavour, lies a firm commitment to empower and support smallholder farmers, farmers cooperatives and local businesses, fostering a positive impact on agriculture and the overall economy.

The PSC Meeting was graced by esteemed dignitaries, reflecting the Programme's importance and widespread recognition in the national development landscape. Their presence underscored the significance of the Programme in driving positive change for the people of Papua New Guinea.

Throughout the meeting, members actively reviewed the substantial progress by the Programme. The notable strides in empowering farmers, strengthening value chains, and creating market linkages were hailed as transformative steps towards sustainable rural development.

The meeting provided a platform for a thorough examination of the challenges encountered during the implementation of the Programme. The open and collaborative exchange of ideas laid the foundation for identifying solutions and strategies to overcome obstacles. 

With the collective wisdom and expertise of all stakeholders, the 5th PSC Meeting charted a clear way forward. Comprehensive recommendations were put forth, emphasising the sustainability of interventions, and collaboration with national and local stakeholders.

The PSC Members also paid a visit to a number of the Programme intervention sites in the Vanimo-Green District of West Sepik Province. During this overview visit, the members received briefings on the support provided and interacted with beneficiaries. The sites visited include a cocoa nursery established with the help of the EU-STREIT PNG, an aquaculture/inland fisheries site supported by the Programme, a rural access road being rehabilitated under the Programme, three financial services access points established with the support of the EU-STREIT PNG, and a Cocoa and Vanilla Export-Oriented Depot being under construction with funding of the EU, as part of the Programme support package.

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, being implemented as a UN Joint Programme (FAO as the leading agency, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region. The Programme aims to help improve the lives of the people from East and West Sepik provinces, by focusing on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through improved economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains while strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers, including the business environment, and supporting sustainable, climate-resilient transport and energy infrastructure.