Pacific Change Makers: Addressing climate change in Papua New Guinea

In this episode, Debra Sungi of PNG’s Climate Change and Development Authority speaks with the Lowy Institute’s Oliver Nobetau.

Discussions around development in the Pacific consistently reference climate change as a major challenge. Countries such as PNG have to manage the support offered by international development partners without being overwhelmed by foreign agendas and aligning external assistance with national priorities.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Debra Sungi, who is the newly appointed director of the CCDA, as well as one of a handful of women leading government agencies in PNG and the youngest ever at only 33, discusses PNG’s national initiatives and the importance of bringing knowledge to the grass roots level. She also talks about success stories of bilateral cooperation, and dealing with the challenges of climate change and being a young woman in a position of leadership.