August 2011: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced that consultations have begun with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to map out SPC’s engagement in the country. The joint activities are expected to align with national strategies articulated in the PNG Medium Term Development Plan 2011–2015.

According to the 2 August announcement by SPC, during consultations, PNG and SPC sector specialists will determine key areas of support or interventions by SPC, with an emphasis on achieving development outcomes, and which will form the basis of the PNG-SPC Joint Country Strategy (JCS) 2011–2015.

The potential sectors for assistance include: public health, fisheries, aquaculture, marine ecosystems, statistics for development, applied geosciences, disaster risk management, water resources, agriculture, forestry, land resources, transport, energy, information and communication technology, education and training, and human development (youth, culture and gender). [SPC Press Release]