Wednesday 2nd September, 2026
Simbu Province is one of the six targeted provinces including East and West Sepik, Hela, West New Britain and Western to receive support for the protection and sustainable management of forests and community-led climate related programs from the approved landmark funding of USD 63.4 million (K280.4 million) from the Green Climate Fund in July 2025.
The selection of these provinces was based on the following requirements:
- High Performance in Reducing Emissions (Results-Based Payments)
- Recognizing values of Forest beyond carbon
- Higher Risk of Deforestation and Forest Degradation against Population Density.
The REDD+ Results Based Payment pilot program funding provides the country with an opportunity to strengthen and support the implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy 2017-2027 with an emphasis on the following REDD+ action areas:
- Strengthened land-use and development planning
- Conservation and Environmental law enforcement; Strengthened environmental management, protection and enforcement
- Enhanced economic productivity and sustainable livelihoods.
THE Government of Papua New Guinea through its lead agency, the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), remains committed to sustain climate resilience in the provinces by conducting the first ever inception workshop for the Green Climate Fund Results-Based Payment (GCF RBP) Pilot Program in Simbu Province, with the technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
The one-day inception workshop which was conducted on Tuesday, 25th August, 2026 at Womai in Kundiawa is part of a 12-day mission in Simbu Province that includes stakeholder mapping across Chuave, Sinasina Yongomugl, Kerowagi, Gumine, Kundiawa/Gembogl, and Salt-Nomane districts, along with dedicated consultations to establish the Simbu Provincial Climate Change Committee (PCCC).
The CCDA Acting General Manager for the REDD+ and Mitigation Division Mr. Terence Barambi congratulated Simbu province for being one of the six recipient provinces to the GCF RBP pilot funding.
“As the oversight agency for climate change initiatives in Papua New Guinea, CCDA is focused on translating national strategies into effective local action under the Climate Change (Management) Act 2015. Convening this inception workshop in Chimbu Province allows us to establish key governance bodies like the Provincial Climate Change Committee and foster the partnerships needed for long-term forest conservation and community resilience,” said Mr. Barambi.
The inception workshop served to align partners across national, provincial, and community levels, providing a validated framework to operationalize the initiative, strengthen local forest governance, and support sustainable community livelihoods.
Mr. Barambi strongly emphasised during the event that PNG had underscored its commitment to forest conservation by securing this landmark of USD 63.4 million in results-based finance for its REDD+ efforts, marking a major funding milestone towards reducing GHG emissions whilst pursuing its essential development agendas in a sustainable manner.
“PNG must implement REDD+ with a vision to catalyze transformational change within the forest and land use sector towards a new and responsible economy with lower GHG emissions, stronger long term economic growth and community livelihoods and the effective conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services while ensuring the PNG’s Forest resources are used in a sustainable and equitable way that will benefit both the current and future generations,” said Mr. Barambi.
Speaking at the event, FAO Head of Office Dr Kachen Wongsathapornchai emphasized that conservation must be closely connected to the wellbeing and aspirations of local communities.
“Lasting biodiversity conservation cannot be achieved by putting up fences. Conservation only works when it works for the people.”
Dr Wongsathapornchai highlighted the importance of building on the traditional knowledge and customary stewardship of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, noting that Papua New Guinea’s forests and biodiversity have been protected for generations through strong connections between people and their natural environment.
He further emphasized that the projects must be shaped through meaningful engagement with communities and local leaders.
Deputy Provincial Administration for Simbu Mr. Chris Mondo said: “Hosting the first inception workshop here in Kundiawa marks a critical first step forward for Chimbu Province. Protecting our forests requires strong collaboration between national agencies and local leadership, and this partnership provides a clear path to ensure our communities actively lead and benefit from sustainable climate action.”
Last year on 30 July 2025, Papua New Guinea hosted the 42nd GCF Board meeting, during which the government through the Prime Minister, Honourable James Marape, had the distinct pleasure of announcing the long-awaited approval of the country’s National GCF REDD+ Results-Based Payment pilot program funding of USD 63.4 million, payment period for the years 2014,2015 and 2016 with an estimated emissions reductions of 17million (tCO2e) ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, which was approved by the Green Climate Fund Board secretariate.
Green Climate Fund is a critical element of the Paris Agreement – it is the world’s largest climate fund, mandated to support developing countries raise and realize their National Determined Contribution (NDC) ambitions
The programme will support provincial-level implementation focusing on community livelihoods, institutional and system strengthening, sustainable land-use practices, and the achievement of national climate and development objectives.
Outcomes
- National and Simbu Provincial Government to effectively implement the National REDD+ Strategy 2017–2027, resulting in strengthened land-use planning, improved law enforcement, enhanced forest protection, and sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.
- All relevant stakeholders across the six districts of Simbu Province are identified, mapped, and engaged, providing a comprehensive stakeholder database to support GCF RBP REDD+ pilot funding programme implementation.
- Increased awareness and understanding of climate change, REDD+, GCF RBP Inception phase, carbon markets, and related policies among provincial, district, LLG, community stakeholders, and the general public, resulting in improved participation and support for climate initiatives.
- Simbu Provincial Government consensus is achieved, and recommendations are documented to support the establishment and operationalization of the Simbu Provincial Climate Change Committee (PCCC) with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and governance arrangements.Top of Form
The role of the focal point for REDD+ Mr. Willie Kume is very crucial on the ground. As the Natural Resource Officer with the Division of Natural Resource Management under the Simbu Provincial Government (SPG), Mr. Kume will be working in close collaboration with CCDA REDD+ to ensure REDD+ programs and activities are effectively coordinated and implemented. The awareness and reconnaissance exercise on the ground was a success with the people in these districts effectively participating and providing their honest opinions on the challenges and issues they were facing. The team have identified that NGOs, CBOs, Churches, Youth, Men, Women Groups including persons with disabilities faced daily challenges and the adverse activities that put great pressure on their forests. Simbu province also had the largest number of CBO groups established on the ground. However, most of their hard work was through voluntary orientation influenced in their own rights by embracing and passionate of protecting and safeguarding their forests and the environment. And how the challenges have affected their livelihoods.
By building institutional capacity and coordinating implementation mechanisms under the National REDD+ Strategy (2017–2027), CCDA and FAO aim to enhance sustainable forest management, improve land-use planning, and deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits to forest-dependent communities in the Simbu province.Bottom of Form
This moment is a testament to our commitment to effectively participate and deliver the goal articulated under Pillar 5 of the PNG’s Vision 2050, where efforts are directed towards environmental sustainability and addressing climate change aligned with the PNG’s development requirements.
As Simbu Province and the rest of Papua New Guinea embark on this transformative journey, the CCDA extends its gratitude to the relevant stakeholders, including the Simbu Provincial Administration, Simbu provincial climate change committee, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the hardworking CCDA Staff and management, the people of Simbu province and the relevant Sectors and Civil Societies alike.
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