USAID chief Samantha Power
USAID Administrator Samantha Power marked a significant milestone as she officially inaugurated the transition of USAID’s presence in Papua New Guinea from a regional satellite office to a fully-fledged Country Representative Office recently. This move builds upon more than four decades of partnership and fulfils the commitment laid out by President Biden during the historic U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit last year. The inauguration ceremony took place at the USAID office situated within the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby and saw the participation of Chargé d’affaires Joseph Zadrozny and USAID’s new Country Representative Nino Nadiradze.
The transformation of the USAID presence in PNG is a part of the broader U.S. Embassy initiative in the region, encompassing PNG, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. This new Country Representative Office will oversee ongoing programs in these countries while also spearheading efforts to increase staffing, including the hiring of more Pacific Islanders. These steps aim to enhance USAID’s ability to deliver sustainable outcomes in alignment with the economic and social development priorities of the nations involved.
The USAID Country Representative Office will be instrumental in reinforcing relationships with the governments of PNG, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. This closer collaboration is expected to facilitate improved understanding, partnership, and the effective implementation of development initiatives that resonate with the local context. By adopting this approach, USAID seeks to embody its commitment to supporting the countries’ long-term economic growth and social advancement.
Aligned with the five-year USAID Strategic Framework for the Pacific Islands, the newly established USAID PNG will advance the development priorities outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. This framework aims to propel the Pacific Island region towards democratic governance, prosperity, and resilience. Moreover, the USAID Country Representative Office will champion the objectives of the ten-year U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, working alongside Papua New Guineans to cultivate a more peaceful and resilient nation.
The elevated presence of USAID will facilitate more targeted and responsive programs at the community level. By engaging in direct collaboration with individual Pacific Island governments, this move seeks to amplify community ties and strengthen partnerships. The ultimate goal is to effectively address pressing challenges such as climate change resilience and economic stability. Furthermore, the new Country Representative Office will enable USAID to bolster economic development, nurture democratic values, uphold good governance, and champion human rights.
This elevation of USAID’s presence signifies an intensified commitment to PNG’s development objectives, while ensuring that regional initiatives are tailored to address the specific developmental needs of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. As a Pacific nation itself, the United States remains steadfast in its partnership with countries in the region.
