Kokopo, East New Britain Province | 21 July 2026

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) successfully conducted the New Guinea Islands Regional Consultation Workshop on Papua New Guinea’s National Loss and Damage Policy Framework on 21 July 2026 at the Gazelle International Hotel in Kokopo, East New Britain Province.

The workshop brought together representatives from provincial governments, government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, and community representatives from across the New Guinea Islands Region to provide regional perspectives and recommendations towards the development of Papua New Guinea’s first National Loss and Damage Policy Framework.

Climate change continues to cause significant economic and non-economic losses across Papua New Guinea, with communities increasingly affected by sea-level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, landslides, prolonged droughts, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, declining fisheries, and climate-induced displacement. As these impacts intensify, there is an increasing need for coordinated national responses to address losses that cannot be prevented through adaptation alone.

The consultation enhanced participants’ understanding of the concept of Loss and Damage under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the newly established Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). Participants also identified regional priorities, key climate risks, institutional arrangements, and stakeholder roles that will inform the development of Papua New Guinea’s National Loss and Damage Policy Framework and the future establishment of a National Loss and Damage Fund under the Climate Change (Management) Act.

Papua New Guinea’s Loss and Damage Project focuses on three key areas: developing a National Loss and Damage Policy Framework, establishing a National Loss and Damage Fund, and mobilizing financial resources to support vulnerable communities affected by climate change.

The project is supported by the Pacific Community (SPC), Global Green Growth Institute and the United Kingdom Government. Through this partnership, CCDA is strengthening its institutional and financial capacity to effectively manage future climate finance and implement national Loss and Damage initiatives.

The New Guinea Islands consultation is one of four regional consultations being undertaken nationwide to ensure the policy reflects the diverse experiences and priorities of communities across Papua New Guinea. The recommendations gathered during the workshop will be consolidated with inputs from the remaining regional consultations and incorporated into the drafting of the National Loss and Damage Policy Framework.

CCDA thanked all participants and partners for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed its commitment to developing a practical and inclusive policy that will strengthen Papua New Guinea’s resilience, improve access to international climate finance, and support communities experiencing the unavoidable impacts of climate change.