LocationsOn 29 January, Papua New Guinea took an important step towards strengthening its national climate ambitions by convening an Inter-Agency Core Group Meeting on preparing the country’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).
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Representatives from key government agencies and development partners participated in the meeting
Japhet Gai/CCDA
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, outlining national targets and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable development. Papua New Guinea’s NDC 3.0 will cover the period 2025–2035 and serve as the country’s principal framework for climate action.
Led by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and supported by UNDP, this first meeting brought together representatives from key government agencies, development partners, and technical experts to review progress, confirm institutional roles, and advance the preparation of PNG’s NDC 3.0.
Opening the meeting on behalf of the CCDA’s Acting Managing Director, Ms. Debra Sungi, Mr. William Lakain, the General Manager for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and National Communications at CCDA, underscored the importance of NDC 3.0 as Papua New Guinea’s core climate policy instrument under the Paris Agreement. He highlighted its role in guiding national mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts while aligning climate action with the country’s broader development priorities.
Mr. William Lakain, The General Manager for Measurement, Reporting and Verification and National Communications at CCDA, underscored the importance of Nationally Determined Contributions as Papua New Guinea’s core climate policy instrument under the Paris Agreement
Japhet Gai/CCDA
Participants reviewed the proposed integrated workplan and the Zero Draft of NDC 3.0, highlighting several key enhancements, including:
- Updated mitigation ambition, with strengthened targets for the energy; agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU); and land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sectors
- Expanded adaptation priorities addressing health, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure
- The introduction of a stand-alone Loss and Damage chapter in response to escalating climate impacts
- Stronger integration of cross-cutting priorities such as Nature-Based Solutions, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and the inclusion of youth and children.
The meeting also confirmed a clear roadmap toward national validation and submission of NDC 3.0 in 2026. This includes the establishment of sectoral technical working committees, nationwide consultations, and intensive drafting “lock-down” sessions to consolidate sectoral inputs.
UNDP reaffirmed its continued technical leadership and support to the Government of Papua New Guinea through its Climate Promise initiative and broader climate and development portfolio. UNDP is supporting the NDC 3.0 process through strategic policy and technical advisory services; facilitation of inter-agency coordination and inclusive stakeholder engagement; support to the energy component of NDC 3.0, including targeted capacity building; mainstreaming gender and youth considerations; and integration of AI-driven nature–climate solutions.
Nationally Determined Contributions are countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, outlining national actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable development
Japhet Gai/CCDA
UNDP is also working closely with CCDA and partners including the NDC Partnership, ESCAP, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), GGGI, UNICEF, and Expertise France under the EU-funded Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity (EU-FCCB) Programme to ensure that PNG’s NDC 3.0 is technically robust, nationally owned, and ready for implementation.
A dedicated session also reviewed the draft Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Framework, which was positively received by participants. The framework aims to ensure that PNG’s climate commitments deliver inclusive development outcomes by strengthening the participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in the climate transition. A dedicated consultation workshop will be convened to further refine the framework with sector-specific inputs.
During the meeting, the Inter-Agency Core Group formally endorsed its mandate, reinforcing a whole-of-government approach to climate action and confirming shared responsibility for delivering Papua New Guinea’s climate commitments.
As Papua New Guinea moves toward finalizing NDC 3.0, the strengthened collaboration between government institutions and development partners reflects the country’s commitment to raising ambition, building resilience, and translating climate commitments into concrete action on the ground.
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