LocationsPapua New Guinea holds six to eight percent of the world’s biodiversity and is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world with 90% of its population depend on biodiversity for their daily survival.
Developing PNG’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025-2030
November 28, 2025
Group Photo of participants at the NBSAP review inception workshop.
UNDP Papua New Guinea | Clive Hawigen
With the threat of climate change and habitat loss due to economic development and population growth, a well developed and implemented National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is imperative to make sure PNG’s biodiversity is sustainably managed.
From November 26-28, the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) with support from the UNDP Papua New Guinea hosted an inception workshop to start the process of developing the country’s NBSAP 2025-2030 at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby.
NBSAP is a strategic framework by a country in response to its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). PNG became a party to the CBD in 1993 to align itself with the global legal framework and commit to conserving the country’s unique biodiversity, manage resources critical to its population and indigenous knowledge and collaborate internationally in terms of environmental governance.
Participating in this review process were representatives from respective provincial governments throughout the country, key government agencies, development partners and members of the PNG NBSAP technical working group.
“Protecting these ecosystems must become a national development priority. The NBSAP, once reviewed and finalised, must be translated into tangible outcomes. We must deliver a plan that reflects PNGs leadership in biodiversity conservation,” said Ms Rose Waigl Alphonse from the CEPA at the start of the NBSAP review inception workshop.
Ms Rose Waigl Alphonse from the CEPA, giving openinig remarks at the start of the NBSAP review inception workshop.
UNDP Papua New Guinea | Clive Hawigen
Conservation of the country’s biodiversity is captured in the country’s constitution. Under its fourth national goal and directive principle, highlights the importance of preserving and conserving the country’s natural resources and environment, to be used for the collective benefit of all and to be replenished for future generations.
UNDP Papua New Guinea Assistant Resident Representative – Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Joshua Sam, who spoke on behalf of the Resident Representative, said working in the space of conservation is our sacred responsibility to be stewards of the environment.
UNDP Papua New Guinea Assistant Resident Representative – Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Joshua Sam, giving a speech spoke on behalf of the Resident Representative.
UNDP Papua New Guinea | Clive Hawigen
“As a development partner we take our role in helping national entities protect the environment very seriously. So, you will notice we have a long track record of working with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority in the space of biodiversity conservation,” said Mr. Sam.
The first NBSAP was developed in 2007, then revised in 2014, 2019 and now in 2025 to meet the country’s commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. This workshop marked the starting point for reviewing the 23 national targets to ensure alignment with the global biodiversity targets. Early in 2026, additional consultations and validation processes will be conducted across different regions of the country.
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