JSB endorses Melanesian Agreement; agrees for conclusion of all activities by June 2026
The Melanesian Agreement, signed by the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, was formally endorsed today at the first meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body following the conclusion of the joint moderation process between the two governments.
The Joint Supervisory Body (or JSB) is co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Hon. James Marape, and President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Hon. Ishmael Toroama.
The JSB discussed several matters – key among which was the Melanesian Agreement and next steps that the two governments must take, including agreement on timeframes for the conclusion of this process.
In his opening remarks, President Ishmael Toroama reaffirmed the importance of the Melanesian Agreement, stating that it “will constitute a pathway to achieve this last leg of the process.”
“Mr. Prime Minister, we must endorse the Melanesian Agreement as the Framework to implement Bougainville’s independence, which must be guided by the sanctity of this JSB. Central to this is an agreement on the form in which the sessional order will take. Our responsibility right now is to ensure that all work pertaining to the Melanesian Agreement concludes by June 2026,” Toroama said.
The National Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville Matters also presented an update to the JSB on their recent nation-wide consultations. This was followed by an update from the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives on progress made to date in fulfilling the responsibilities given to the two parliaments under the Melanesian Agreement.
The JSB further called on the National Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville Matters, together with the two Speakers of the PNG and Bougainville Parliaments, and in coordination with the ABG Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission and the National Minister for Bougainville Affairs, to urgently convene and develop the proposed sessional orders, with a report anticipated to be submitted to the JSB and then to the National Parliament by March 2026.
President Toroama acknowledged the work progressed by the two parliaments highlighting that they have ‘a central and integral role to play in the process leading up to the National Parliament and thereafter’.
President Toroama thanked the United Nations for its continued support and encouraged consideration of a special Bougainville Peace Agreement Fund package to support the Governments of PNG and Bougainville on implementing the Melanesian Agreement.
The JSB also endorsed the appointment of a working facilitator Mr. Richard Smith, to support both Governments—individually and jointly—in guiding the development of the Melanesian Framework.
Other decisions reached included the JSB’s endorsement of the ABG’s request to explore soft loan options in consultation with the National Government.
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