Recently, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) established a forest conservation deed with Tangguar Clans in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. This marks USAID’s increasing interest in promoting local and Indigenous environmental protection efforts.
On September 24, 2024, three tribes in Malas Village signed an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental non-profit focused on land and water conservation. Under this agreement, the newly formed Tangguar Resource Owners Development Association (Tangguar Association) will manage 17,803 hectares, or approximately 45% of the community’s land. Additionally, Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa has promised to support the Tangguar Association by providing funding and technical support. In a public statement, Jerry Tome, the Chairman of the Tangguar Association, remarked that this partnership was “crucial for empowering [his] community to manage [their] natural resources effectively.”
This agreement is one of many that USAID has spearheaded in the last few years. USAID has helped local communities protect over 40,000 hectares in Madang Province and over 60,000 hectares nationwide. This was achieved through USAID’s PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP) which seeks to protect biodiversity in Papua New Guinea. Over the past four years, USAID has signed nine conservation deeds with local community leaders. On May 29, 2024, USAID signed a similar conservation deed with Karkum clans to help protect leatherback turtles. The agreement designated the turtle’s nesting beaches as a sanctuary.
These agreements are vital to the world since Papua New Guinea is a major hot spot for biodiversity. Despite Papua New Guinea being only 1% of the world’s landmass, the country contains almost 7% of global biodiversity. This includes more than 800 bird species and 13,000 plant species. However, over 50% of those plants and animals have yet to be studied or even scientifically named. Papua New Guinea holds untapped potential for scientific research that is threatened by illegal logging, road development, and more.
From a strategic perspective, these conservation deeds may deepen amicable ties between the US and Papua New Guinea. In 2023, the US military was granted unimpeded access to six key sites for defense operations, including the Lombrum Naval Base and the Port Moresby Seaport. This relationship is important because of Papua New Guinea’s location near the Torres Strait, a maritime chokepoint frequented by up to 30 commercial ships and oil tankers daily. This partnership allows for air and sea access, enabling US forces to mobilize quickly and safely between Australia and the rest of the Indo-Pacific.
Moreover, Papua New Guinea is a reliable business partner with the US. Under the Treaty on Fisheries, certain US fishing ships gain access to the waters of Papua New Guinea and 15 other Pacific Island countries. In 2022, the US exported roughly $120 million of products to Papua New Guinea. The main exports included crude petroleum ($42.3 million), excavation machinery ($11.8 million), and broadcasting equipment ($3.54 million).
In the same year, Papua New Guinea exported nearly $75.8 million with top products like coffee ($52.3 million), cocoa beans ($15.1 million), and vanilla ($4.54 million). Since agriculture plays a large role in our trade relationship, conservation deeds can play a vital role in promoting sustainability while maintaining these economic exchanges.
Daniel Salgado-Alvarez is a Fall 2024 Young Professional at the East-West Center. He is a recent graduate from Harvard University, where he studied sociology and East Asian studies.