Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Marape Declines COP29 Participation, Calls for Greater Commitment to Rainforest Conservation

Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, has confirmed he will not attend the upcoming United Nations Global Climate Summit (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, citing the lack of global commitment to rainforest conservation as a primary reason.

Prime Minister Marape announced that Minister for Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change, Hon. Simo Kilepa, will represent Papua New Guinea at COP29 with a streamlined delegation. The team’s primary focus will be to advocate for PNG’s bid to host the Green Climate Fund Board meeting next year, showcasing the nation’s commitment to climate leadership and green financing initiatives.

Prime Minister Marape expressed concern over the failure of high-emission nations to implement key aspects of the Paris Agreement, particularly Article 5 and Article 6, which focus on conserving greenhouse gas sinks and reservoirs, including forests, and creating a framework for international cooperation on carbon markets. The Prime Minister emphasised that, despite commitments, large industrialised countries with significant carbon footprints have not fully upheld these obligations, both at government and industrial levels.

“Papua New Guinea is a major rainforest nation, and we are making our stance clear by protesting against these nations who do not prioritize rainforest conservation,” Prime Minister Marape stated. 

“The conversation on climate change is incomplete without genuine action on preserving the world’s rainforests, which serve as vital carbon sinks and replenish our atmosphere through oxygen production and carbon removal.”

He further noted that COP summits have frequently overlooked the critical role of rainforests in climate change mitigation. Rainforests, such as those in Papua New Guinea, are home to diverse ecosystems and act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing vast amounts of CO₂ and producing oxygen. Recent studies indicate that tropical rainforests, if adequately protected, could sequester up to 30% of global carbon emissions, highlighting the need for immediate action.

Prime Minister Marape called on high-emission nations to move beyond “meaningless talkfests” and take concrete steps to support rainforest conservation. “We need real sponsors of rainforest conservation, not just rhetoric,” he stated. “The world must take rainforest conservation seriously as a cornerstone of climate action.”

PNG’s decision to protest by not attending COP29 signals its commitment to prioritising impactful climate strategies and holding global stakeholders accountable. Prime Minister Marape expressed hope that COP30, set to take place in Brazil—a fellow rainforest-rich nation—will prioritise rainforest conservation and reforestation.

“We look forward to COP30 in Brazil, where we hope rainforest nations will have a stronger voice,” Prime Minister Marape concluded. “Papua New Guinea has sent our apologies to the COP29 organisers and reiterates our call for more meaningful action in support of global rainforest preservation.”