Joint Supervisory Body meeting agreed for Kokopo in November
After a Pre-Joint Supervisory Body meeting between the Papua New Guinea National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government at the Sir Manasupe Haus in Port Moresby on Monday 9 November 2020, it was agreed that the Joint Supervisory Body meeting proper will be held at Kokopo in the East New Britain Province on 30 November 2020.
Monday’s closed-door event was described by PNG Prime Minister Hon. James Marape as fruitful, co-hosting the meeting with Autonomous Region of Bougainville President Hon. Ishmael Toroama.
Prime Minister Marape also announced both governments had agreed that Bougainville Referendum Commission Chair Bertie Ahern will act as moderator going forward between the two governments and thanked Ahern for volunteering his time.
He added that due to Covid-19, time and distance, both governments agreed that the United Nations local mission will assist in the process along with senior Bougainvilleans and Papua New Guineans to be part of the team that will moderate in-between key issues that will be raised in completion of the entire process of the 2001 Peace Agreement.
He further added that with the referendum now concluded, with 98 percent voting for Independence in Bougainville, the 2001 Peace Agreement also defines the process going forward.
PNGBUZZ TV: PM Marape & President Toroama elaborate:
Prime Minister Marape stressed that the National Government will be giving them the highest form of practicing self-governance that they can practice in as far as their work with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, empowering them going towards the future in what Bougainville will be.
President Toroama said that this meeting displayed they’ve come to a common understanding including issues that have stood for 15 years that will be discussed during the proper Joint Supervisory Body meeting.
PNGBUZZ TV: PM Marape & President Toroama continue: