Progress and Strategic Directions: Highlights from the EU-STREIT PNG Programme’s Technical Working Group Meeting with National and Provincial Partners

Wewak, Papua New Guinea – The latest meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the EU-STREIT PNG Programme was held in provincial capital of East Sepik Province, marking a step forward in strengthening collaborative efforts to enhance rural entrepreneurship and agricultural development in the Sepik. The session was attended by officials the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), the Department of Works and Highways (DoW), the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), the National ICT Authority (NICTA), the Cocoa Board of PNG and representatives from other national and provincial partners. 

The meeting focused on a review of the programme’s progress, achievements, and the development of strategic directions for the future with a focus on sustainability of interventions. It provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the impact of ongoing initiatives, address challenges, and identify successful strategies for broader implementation.

Recommendations were made to improve the programme’s effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of enhanced partnership and synergies among stakeholders, and the integration of technology in rural development.

The EU-STREIT PNG, being implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme (FAO as leading agency and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as implementing partners), is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. Additionally, the Programme strengthens and improves the efficiency of value chain enablers, including access to ICT and digital financial services. It also supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient transport infrastructures and renewable energy solutions. The Programme benefits two provinces: East Sepik and West Sepik.