In order to increase infrastructure and economic development, the region of Bougainville considered establishing relations with development partners as a priority.
Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama in his first official visit to Port Moresby met with several important development partners. The meeting was to familiarise the new president with foreign missions and to strengthen relationships.
Toroama said that they expressed support for Bougainville in continuing its mission. He added that the relationship with partners is maintained through the boundaries of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. The focal point of these relations is for the development of the region, and not for advancing any political aspirations.
ABG President Toroama met with various officials such as the European Union Ambassador Ioannis Giogkarakis Argyropoulos, Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing, the US Ambassador Erin Mckee, Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp and the representative for ambassador Kuniyuki Nakahara.
“I am convinced of the need for an overall aid coordination strategy within which Bougainville’s donor priorities will be articulated,” Toroama said. “Such aid strategy must be rooted in my government’s six-point strategy on Bougainville’s development and political journey.”
