• Australia's Aid Program
  • About the Aid Program
  • Emergencies, Humanitarian Aid & Landmines
  • Development Effectiveness
  • Aid Close Up: Stories & People
• Countries
  • All Countries
  • Papua New Guinea
  • South Asia
  • East Asia
  • Pacific
  • Africa & Middle East
• Aid Themes
  • Economic Growth
  • Disability
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Food Security
  • Gender
  • Governance
  • Health, HIV/AIDS, Pandemics
  • Human Rights
  • Infrastructure
  • Millennium Development Goals
  • Regional Stabilty
  • Rural Development
  • Water & Sanitation
• Partners
  • Australian Government
  • Regional Governments
  • Multilateral Organisations
  • Non Government Organisations
  • Academic
  • Volunteers
• Research
  • Research overview
  • Reports
  • Journals & Networks
• Business and Tenders
  • Latest News
  • Tenders
  • Funding Schemes
  • Useful Advice
  • Contracting Policy
  • Business Publications
• Careers
  • Vacancies
  • Eligibility & conditions
  • Long Term Employment
  • Short Term Employment
  • Graduate Program
  • FAQs
  • Other Ways to Get Involved

Bougainville Peace Agreement

People of Bougainville celebrate peace agreement

Australia's role in peace-building in the Commonwealth is nowhere more evident than on the island of Bougainville, just hours from north-east Australia off Papua New Guinea's east coast. Bougainville faces huge challenges after 10 years of civil war, but this did not dampen the joyous celebrations last August in Arawa at the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Australia has spent $100 million in the last five years to establishing peace, repairing infrastructure and strengthening communities in Bougainville.

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Mekere Morauta (right), and the President of the Bougainville People's Congress, Joseph Kabui, with a woven ceremonial basket containing the Bougainville Peace Agreement at the signing in Arawa last August. Photos: Geoff Tooth

The signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement last August was a major step on the road to peace and a sign that the people of Bougainville are ready to embrace a more constructive future.

Australia's contribution to the peace process was recognised by all the speakers at the ceremony. Joseph Kabui, President of the Bougainville People's Congress, extended particular thanks to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, saying that without the Minister's personal intervention earlier in the year to negotiate a compromise on a future referendum, the agreement would not have been reached.

Senator Alan Ferguson, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, represents Australia in witnessing the Bougainville Peace Agreement in Arawa.

According to Anthony Regan, an academic from the Australian National University and adviser to Bougainville in the negotiations with the PNG Government on Bougainville's future, Australia's support of the peace process has been crucial.

Australian support for the negotiations has included providing lawyers to assist Bougainville, a consultant to the PNG Government and facilitating transport for Bougainville's negotiators to participate in 22 rounds of talks, some of which lasted for six weeks.

The next step on the move towards autonomy will be the agreement's passage through PNG's parliament which is necessary for the constitutional changes to be made.

Australia's aid program in Papua New Guinea

2003

Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia