Senior officials from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands have concluded their 5th Joint Border Committee (JBC) Meeting in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea. The meeting was held from 21 to 22 November 2011.

The meeting brought together Senior Government officials, Border officials, Law Enforcement Officials and relevant government agencies of the two countries and discussed cooperative issues in jointly managing their common border.

The meeting was officially opened by the Deputy Provincial Administrator of Western Highlands province (WHP), Mr Joseph Neng who welcomed both delegations to Mt Hagen for the 5th JBC meeting. He added that Western Highlands province was honoured to host the JBC as it provided the opportunity for the delegates to see the impact of the huge LNG activities in the business sectors of the highlands provinces of Papua New Guinea.

In this opening statement, Mr Neng noted the two government’s continued commitment to promote the good relations nurtured through both formal and informal engagements such as cultural heritages, inter-marriages, traditions, and economic development cooperation. He further reaffirmed WHP support to PNG government’s commitment to Solomon Islands government through the various existing development assistance.

Solomon Islands delegation was led by the Deputy Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Mr Senda Fifi’i, while the Papua New Guinea delegation was led by Director General in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr Samuel Pulup. Also in attendance was the Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Mr Brian Yombon-Copio, and the Acting Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr William Soaki.

The meeting reviewed the status of the various Border Treaties and Agreements signed between the two countries and encouraged both countries to ratify these Treaties and Agreements and have mechanisms in place to ensure that the provisions of the Treaties and Agreements are fully implemented.

The meeting was informed that Solomon Islands has forwarded its comments on the proposed draft MOU for the establishment of the Joint Border Committee and is awaiting feedback from PNG before finalizing the MOU.

The meeting noted the issues of various magnitude occurring along the border and the increasing threats posed by transnational crimes such as illegal crossing by non-traditional inhabitants of and aliens from third countries, illegal business activities, environment, health and quarantine problems. These are major challenges which have serious implications for the national security and territorial integrity of both countries.

Solomon Islands has already established its border post at Kulitanai Bay in the Shortland Islands, Western Province in 2009 and police and customs are fully operational. Papua New Guinea is yet to establish its post on its side of the border but has reaffirmed in the meeting its commitment to establish the post at Kangu on Bougainville.

It was noted during the meeting that there are issues which continue to appear in the agenda of the annual meetings but little progress has taken place over the years. Both governments agree to take into consideration the assignment of a particular officer from each side to administer and fast-track JBC matters to achieve results.

The meeting agreed for Solomon Islands to host the 6th Joint Border Committee Meeting in 2012.