OGP workshop marks FiTI’s first mission to Papua New Guinea
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) International Secretariat conducted its first mission to Papua New Guinea on 11-13 December 2024. Represented by the FiTI Regional Coordinator for the Pacific, Ms Leba Dranivesi, the International Secretariat participated in a two-day workshop on the co-creation of the country’s 3rd Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan (NAP). Prior to the workshop, the International Secretariat held brief discussions with the nation’s OGP Secretariat regarding the workshop aspirations, as well as future goals. In Papua New Guinea, the OGP Secretariat rests with the Department of National Planning and Monitoring.
The two-day workshop – organized by the OGP Secretariat in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – was the first public consultation held on the 3rd OGP National Action Plan, which is planned to launch in early 2025. There were two co-chairs for the workshop, a government co-chair represented by the Department of Information and Communication Technology and a civil society organisation (CSO) co-chair represented by Transparency International (TI) Papua New Guinea.
The main purpose of the workshop was to reflect on the last action plan and to discuss and form development agendas to be featured in the next plan. These development agendas will serve as commitments to be jointly implemented by civil societies and the government. Whilst the two previous National Action Plans were for a period of two years, the 3rd National Action Plan will cover a total of four years to align with other national policies and plans.
The FiTI International Secretariat participated in a panel session on Day 2 of the workshop. Ms Dranivesi offered a brief presentation followed by a questions and answers period. The presentation covered basic information about the FiTI, including examples from FiTI-implementing countries that highlight the potential benefits for Papua New Guinea.
There were positive reflections from the presentation and panel discussions. Although the relevant fisheries authority for both Papua New Guinea’s offshore and coastal fisheries were not in attendance, the OGP Secretariat plans to reach out to discuss the possibility of Papua New Guinea committing to the FiTI as part of its 3rd OGP National Action Plan.
