Rimbink Pato and the 'PNG Connect' foreign policy

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One hallmark of foreign policy analysis as a sub field of international relations is 'multilevel' according to Valerie Hudson and others. It is important to understand how the different variables at the individual, state, or system level of analysis affect the foreign policy decision making process.

The focus of this article is on the roles played by political executives including the bureaucracy at the state level of analysis. These human decision makers do not operate in a vacuum but function in a legalized political system. The nature of legalized political systems varies when comparing one state to another. 

In PNG, we are more familiar with the Westminster political system. For example, Section 142 (1) of the PNG Constitution established the office of the Prime Minister and mentioned the role of the Head of State (Governor General). An elected parliament is another key body that is mentioned together with political parties. These offices and bodies are key elements in a Westminster system of government.

Furthermore, Section 148 defines the authority of the Prime Minister in determining from time to time the portfolios and responsibilities of ministers. All departments, sections, branches and functions of government must be the political responsibility of a Minister and the Prime Minister is politically responsible for all of them. 

In the Corporate Plan (2014-2016) of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration stated that he delivered on behalf of the O'Neill-Dion Government a Foreign Policy Statement in the National Parliament on 18 July 2013. In the Ministerial Statement, he emphasized on the need to grow PNG's connections in a globalizing world. 


However, the  Hansard Archive has no record of a Foreign Policy Statement presented by the Minister. The only statement that he made during the parliament sitting on that day was on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.

As Foreign Minister, Rimbink Pato was able to oversee the publication of two corporate plans for the Department. In the first Corporate Plan (2014-2016), he said:

"The Corporate Plan has an important contribution to make in giving direction to the Department and setting priorities for staff at headquarters as well as Papua New Guinea's diplomatic and consular representatives overseas, including cooperation with other government agencies, the private sector, and other interested parties with actual or potential international connections."

He saw the corporate plan as a guide for the day-to-day operations of the Department in line with the 'PNG Connect' foreign policy approach. The five objectives provided a strategic direction for the Department and the nation as a whole:

  1. Mutually respectful and supportive cooperation
  2. Refocus on the Asia-Pacific
  3. Building partnerships
  4. Good global citizenship
  5. Capacity building

To support his perspective, the former Acting Secretary William Dihm said:

"Our role and responsibility is to grow Papua New Guinea's international connections in ways that protect and promote the security and wellbeing of our people in a globalizing world. In order to do so, we have to connect with focus, deliberation and energy. We have to connect with purpose....As Papua New Guinea's international connections grow in number, diversity and importance, we have to maintain a whole-of-government approach. We have to engage as pro-active partners with the private sector, and other interested members of the community."

The second Corporate Plan (2018-2022) published in 2019 is based on the same foreign policy approach 'PNG Connect'. Pato said:

"The new plan for 2018 - 2022 has the theme of Papua New Guinea "Connecting for Peace and Prosperity in a Changing World." We should harvest some of the results of the enhanced connectivity, increase those connections and see the results in those areas of greatest interest to our Government and nation: peace and prosperity."  

Secretary Barbara Age supported the former Minister by saying that being the biggest country in the Pacific Islands Forum we have global interest, and we intend to strongly grow the connection with our immediate neighbours in the region. She said we intend to grow and widen the substantial level of economic connection through trade, investments and development cooperation arrangements with the emerging big players in the Asia-Pacific region including member states of multilateral groups like APEC and ASEAN. She pointed out that we intend to develop our role as a leader in Pacific regionalism by advancing the concept of the Blue Pacific.

The six strategic objectives to achieve the foreign policy goals as outlined in the Corporate Plan (2018-2022) are:

  1. Neighbourly cooperation
  2. Strengthening key partnerships
  3. Diversifying and building partnerships for mutual benefits
  4. Trade and economic cooperation
  5. Good global citizenship 
  6. Institutional strengthening, modernization and operational processes

The current plan states that the six strategic objectives are also expected to be reflected in the foreign policy white paper when finalized and presented to the national Government and finally the Parliament for endorsement.    

Philip Mitna said the 'Look North' policy was suggested at the political level in response to Australia's decision to reduce its foreign aid to PNG. The policy was not communicated adequately to the bureaucracy at the organizations level. There was a disconnect between the political leaders and the bureaucrats resulting in our failure to gain strategically from the Asian Century.

If you look at 'PNG Connect', the two corporate plans outline clearly the strategic direction the Department will take. In strategic objective 1 of the Corporate Plan (2018-2022), the major operational activity is to consolidate, broaden and advance PNG's relations with Australia. The recent signing of the PNG-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership is a key outcome. It will increase the level of trade, investment and people-to-people link. 

In strategic objective 6, the emphasis is on the reactivation of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. The Department will communicate formally with the Speaker of the National Parliament in relation to the work of the Committee and the role of the Department.

Rimbink Pato with the support of Peter O'Neill had done well by directing the Department to write two corporate plans and restarted the foreign service training program. They also initiated and completed the foreign policy review process. The 2017 Foreign Policy Review Report is evidence of their achievement. They were about to see the creation of the foreign policy white paper however the political change affected their progress.

Comments

  1. Joelson Maodina AnereSeptember 29, 2020 at 10:22 AM

    Dear Yegiora, firstly, I think the PNG Connect Foreign Policy could really become effective if the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and continued in completing the Foreign policy white Paper on PNG Connect.

    Similarly, efforts in this direction would have been greatly improved if the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade was elevated as a Central Government Agency.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bernard Singu YegioraSeptember 29, 2020 at 11:10 AM

      I agree with you. If you look at the 2019-20 Corporate Plan for Australia's DFAT, their plan is based on their 2017 foreign policy white paper. That means our DFA should have written the white paper before creating the plan. In that way the plan will follow the strategic direction outlined in the white paper. Just my point of view.

      Delete
  2. Adrian Poka’waqa WynnSeptember 29, 2020 at 1:17 PM

    Joelson and Bernard I agree with the points you both raised. In my opinion, Corporate Plans guides the DFAIT. And an aspect if it would prioritise the completion of the White Paper.

    Elevation of DFAIT is critical to be able to get the kind of prominence and resource support the department needs to perform it's functioning effectively and in an efficient manner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bernard Singu YegioraSeptember 29, 2020 at 2:22 PM

      I hope the Marape administration will prioritize and complete the foreign policy white paper before 2022.

      Delete
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