Papua New Guinea secures USD 63.4 million to protect forests and support communities.
Port Moresby, 29 May 2026 –
Papua New Guinea has launched a USD 63.4 million climate finance project to protect its forests and support sustainable livelihoods, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to reduce emissions and advance its national climate commitments.
Funded by the Green Climate Fund, the results-based payments (RBP) programme recognises Papua New Guinea’s verified emissions reductions of 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent between 2014 and 2016. The initiative reinforces the country’s leadership in forest conservation and its contribution to global climate action.
The official launch of the project at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, is described as a milestone in ensuring that climate finance delivers tangible benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea. This project reflects Papua New Guinea’s strong commitment to protecting our forests while ensuring that communities benefit directly from climate finance. It is about turning global recognition into real opportunities for our people.
Papua New Guinea is one of the most forested countries in the world, with approximately 78 percent forest cover, playing a critical role in conserving biodiversity and storing carbon. The programme will enhance sustainable forest management while strengthening national systems for coordination, monitoring and reporting.
Sixty percent of the funding will be invested in community livelihoods, supporting sustainable agriculture, forest conservation and other low-emission development activities, while strengthening resilience in rural areas. ‘Securing and Reinvesting REDD+ Results-Based Payments to Advance PNG’s NDC and Sustainable Forest Management’
“Today marks an important milestone as we move from years of planning, consultation and preparation into implementation. This programme represents a significant opportunity to deliver real benefits to communities through sustainable livelihoods, conservation initiatives and climate-resilient development. We encourage all partners and participating provinces to work closely together to ensure that projects are delivered efficiently and that meaningful outcomes reach our people,” said Ms Debra Sungi, Acting Managing Director of the Climate Change and Development Authority.
“This programme is more than climate finance; it is an investment in the communities that have protected Papua New Guinea’s forests for generations. As the accredited entity, FAO is committed to supporting transparent implementation and ensuring that the benefits of this funding strengthen livelihoods, conserve forests and contribute to Papua New Guinea’s climate and development goals,” said Dr Kachen Wongsathapornchai, FAO Head of Office in Papua New Guinea.
“For almost a decade, Papua New Guinea has worked to secure this Results-Based Payment funding. Now that the funding is here, our focus must be on implementation and delivering tangible benefits to communities. People want to see livelihood projects, sustainable agriculture, forest rehabilitation, support for women and youth, and direct benefits reaching customary landowners. This is the time to turn commitments into action on the ground,” said Mr Ronald Meketa, Chairman of the National Climate Change Board and Managing Director of the National Energy Authority.
The programme will be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the accredited entity, in close collaboration with the Climate Change and Development Authority and other national and subnational partners.
It will support implementation of Papua New Guinea’s National REDD+ Strategy 2017–2027 and contribute directly to its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
The launch marks the operational start of a national project that will reinvest climate finance into sustainable development pathways, benefiting communities while protecting Papua New Guinea’s globally significant forests.
Media contacts:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Papua New Guinea (FAO)
Phone: (675) 7246 4908 | Tel: (675) 300 7895
Email: FAO-PG@fao.org
Website: www.fao.org/papua-new-guinea
Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA)
Tel: (675) 341 4287 Email: info@ccda.gov.pg | reddplusinfo@ccda.gov.pg
Website: www.ccda.gov.pg