8 August 2011: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced the conclusion of its week-long joint country strategy consultations in Papua New Guinea (PNG). According to SPC, the consultations resulted in the signing of a tripartite partnership agreement between the PNG Department of National Planning and Monitoring, the PNG Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and SPC.

According to SPC, the tripartiate agreement is founded on the following principles: country leadership, meaning that SPC’s development interventions in the areas agreed to with PNG will be based on country priorities as outlined in key PNG development plans and strategies; mutual respect, acknowledging that SPC and its programmes respect PNG’s leadership in working to achieve its national development goals, and accountability by the Government of PNG and SPC for the effective use of development assistance; and mutual responsibility, noting that the partnership between SPC and the Government of PNG is based on mutual, long-term and measurable commitments for development results. [SPC Press Release] [SIDS Policy & Practice Story on Launch of Country Strategy Consultations]