A delegation from Papua New Guinea’s Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) and Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) visited Aotearoa New Zealand from Saturday 23 to Saturday 30 August 2025 to learn more about climate-resilient infrastructure.
The learning exchange programme comes as Papua New Guinea (PNG) prepares to mark 50 years of independence on 16 September 2025.
Improving road transport is a priority for Papua New Guinea’s economic growth and development, with limited road connections outside the main cities of Port Moresby and Lae. Many of the country’s roads are exposed to climate-related hazards such as flooding, landslides, and sea-level rise. Overall, PNG is ranked 89th out of 139 for infrastructure in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index.
This visit is part of the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States programme, a global initiative funded by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The IRIS PNG programme is implemented by GGGI and DoWH with support from GHD, a global professional services company.
During their visit to New Zealand, PNG officials learned from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, councils, the National Emergency Management Agency and mana whenua about how climate risk and resilience are embedded in infrastructure planning and investment.
The delegation visited Waikato region, including learning about the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle to gather practical insights to help them implement PNG’s recently developed Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Framework.
Kenneth Yamu, DoWH ESG Assistant Secretary says, “Our team comprised of DoWH, CCDA, TSSP and GGGI travelled to New Zealand for the South-South Exchange and Knowledge Exchange with town councils to visit climate resilient project sites to learn and integrate climate resilience into road infrastructure development in PNG. We want to see the DoWH construct climate resilient infrastructure by 2030 that can withstand the extreme weather patterns. This will require teamwork by improving knowledge and skills for our technical staff in DoWH to make collective and inclusive decisions that will benefit our people.
Muhammad Ali Shaikh, Country Representative of GGGI PNG says “This exchange offers Papua New Guinea a valuable opportunity to learn directly from New Zealand’s experience in embedding climate resilience into infrastructure systems. As we prepare to mark 50 years of independence, strengthening our road networks and transport systems against climate risks is not just a technical necessity but a foundation for sustainable economic growth and community well-being. The lessons from New Zealand will help us apply our Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Framework in a way that is practical, inclusive, and scalable across Papua New Guinea
Stephen Douglass, GHD Market Lead Environment and Communities for NZ Pacific says, “The learning exchange presented how New Zealand manages interconnected climate risks — a direct analogue for the challenges facing Papua New Guinea. It focused on community development and sits within a wider programme to build capacity for climate-resilient, context-appropriate infrastructure prioritisation, delivering lasting community benefits directly transferable to Papua New Guinea.
About GHD:
GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents. www.ghd.com
About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organisation in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. With 49 Member States and 29 Partner countries and regional integration organisations in the process of accession, GGGI delivers programs and projects in over 51 countries. These initiatives encompass developing innovative green growth solutions, technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and assistance in building a pipeline of bankable green investment projects, project financing, investments, and knowledge sharing. GGGI's work contributes to its Member States’ efforts to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.
