Sixteen Department of Works and Highways officers and two Global Green Growth Institute officers were certified after completing four days of training to enhance their technical skills in climate risk integration for road infrastructure planning and design.

The Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) PNG Project, in collaboration with the Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), hosted the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) Foundation Training certificate presentation and South Knowledge Exchange debrief at the DoWH Conference Room in Port Moresby on Friday, August 22, 2025. 

Supported by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) through the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF), the IRIS PNG Project is strengthening Papua New Guinea’s institutional and technical capacity for climate-resilient transport infrastructure development. 

As part of this effort, a foundational CRVA training was delivered from August 11 – 14, 2025 for 16 DoWH officers and two GGGI officers. 

DoWH Secretary, Gibson Holemba challenged the participants to use the skills and knowledge gained from the training to make an impact. 

“This small but very significant event shows that you are the champion of the Climate Resilient Programme that we are conducting in the Department. Ensure that these certificates (skills) can translate from the 4-day workshop to 4 years or so of your employment with impact. I now challenge you all to become the champion of the Climate Vulnerability Assessment in the Department to pass on the knowledge to the person sitting next to you or down the line. 

GGGI PNG Country Representative, Mohammad Ali Shaikh highlighted the importance of capacity building in achieving the project’s goal of increasing access to knowledge, resources, and standards for resilient and inclusive infrastructure. 

“Today’s certificate presentation and knowledge exchange debrief mark a significant step forward our shared journey toward resilient and climate-proof infrastructure in Papua New Guinea. At GGGI, we believe that true resilience begins with local capacity. By equipping DoWH officers with the technical knowledge to integrate climate risk into road planning, we are not only strengthening institutions but also enabling solutions that will stand the test of time, disaster, and climate change. The South-South collaboration with New Zealand offers a unique opportunity to deepen learning, exchange best practices, and build a stronger, climate-resilient future for PNG.” 

The next phase of the project includes a South-South Knowledge Exchange visit to Auckland, New Zealand, from August 23 – 30, 2025, bringing together officials from DoWH, the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA), and GGGI to learn from regional best practices and foster collaboration on resilient infrastructure development.

Originally published at tvwan.com.pg