Ambassador Watanabe's Farewell Message
2024/10/18
Dear all,
After three years of service, I will be leaving Papua New Guniea on November 18. During the period, I have had the privilege of building good relationships with various people, including from the PNG Government, Parliament, business, academic, and social sectors of PNG, as well as with the diplomatic missisons, related institutions, international organizations, and Japanese companies based in PNG. We have closely cooperated to work for the development of PNG and to develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and PNG.
During the three years of my service, there were many significant events. In 2022, I witnessed the long-lasting parliamentary general election that takes place once every five years and last six months. Also, I felt that PNG is becoming increasingly important within the international community. On the economic front, while there are still many challenges, progress has been made in manufacturing, local development, and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, supported by the stable operation of the mineral resources sector, which is one of key industries.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Japan and PNG has also steadily progressed. Last year, some Japanese government officials visited PNG, including the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Special Advisor to Prime Minister of Japan. Also, the dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers began to resume. In October, the opening ceremony of the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport took place, and now it becomes the largest airport hub in PNG as a symbol of friendship between our two nations.
In February of this year, a business mission from Japan visited PNG, followed by visits from a PNG parliamentary delegation and the Minister of Defense to Japan in March, which deepened exchanges between our countries. In July, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was held in Japan, with Prime Minister Marape and over 30 representatives from PNG attending. During the PALM10, Prime Minister Marape and former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida hold a successful bilateral meeting.
During my serivice in PNG, I had the opportunity to visit 16 provinces. I was deeply impressed by the diversity of cultures, customs, and traditions that vary from region to region, as well as the richness of nature and the vitality of the people in each area. I sincerely appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me by local governments and community members during my visits.
Throughout my stay in PNG, I have been supported by many people. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to be with the people of PNG, who are always smiling and full of vitality, the people from the international community who are working together to tackle the challenges that PNG faces, and those who are cooperating to strengthen the relationship between Japan and PNG.
In closing, I sincerely hope that PNG will further develop and that exchanges between Japan and PNG will deepen. I wish you all the best of luck and prosperity.
Thank you very much.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Papua New Guinea
Nobuyuki Watanabe
After three years of service, I will be leaving Papua New Guniea on November 18. During the period, I have had the privilege of building good relationships with various people, including from the PNG Government, Parliament, business, academic, and social sectors of PNG, as well as with the diplomatic missisons, related institutions, international organizations, and Japanese companies based in PNG. We have closely cooperated to work for the development of PNG and to develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and PNG.
During the three years of my service, there were many significant events. In 2022, I witnessed the long-lasting parliamentary general election that takes place once every five years and last six months. Also, I felt that PNG is becoming increasingly important within the international community. On the economic front, while there are still many challenges, progress has been made in manufacturing, local development, and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, supported by the stable operation of the mineral resources sector, which is one of key industries.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Japan and PNG has also steadily progressed. Last year, some Japanese government officials visited PNG, including the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Special Advisor to Prime Minister of Japan. Also, the dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers began to resume. In October, the opening ceremony of the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport took place, and now it becomes the largest airport hub in PNG as a symbol of friendship between our two nations.
In February of this year, a business mission from Japan visited PNG, followed by visits from a PNG parliamentary delegation and the Minister of Defense to Japan in March, which deepened exchanges between our countries. In July, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was held in Japan, with Prime Minister Marape and over 30 representatives from PNG attending. During the PALM10, Prime Minister Marape and former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida hold a successful bilateral meeting.
During my serivice in PNG, I had the opportunity to visit 16 provinces. I was deeply impressed by the diversity of cultures, customs, and traditions that vary from region to region, as well as the richness of nature and the vitality of the people in each area. I sincerely appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me by local governments and community members during my visits.
Throughout my stay in PNG, I have been supported by many people. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to be with the people of PNG, who are always smiling and full of vitality, the people from the international community who are working together to tackle the challenges that PNG faces, and those who are cooperating to strengthen the relationship between Japan and PNG.
In closing, I sincerely hope that PNG will further develop and that exchanges between Japan and PNG will deepen. I wish you all the best of luck and prosperity.
Thank you very much.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Papua New Guinea
Nobuyuki Watanabe