National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs

Minister's Forward

HON MANASSEH MAKIBA, MP

MINISTER FOR BOUGAINVILLE AFFAIRS

As Minister for Bougainville Affairs, I have always been a proponent public awareness, especially information dissemination on matters surrounding Bougainville's plight for political self-determination and the consultations between the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government. It is also equally important that Members of Parliament, as well as the people of Papua New Guinea to have a common understanding of Bougainville and related issues in Papua New Guinea.

This website presents the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs and its role in the relationship of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea through its vast history right up to the current consultations leading to the ratification of the 2019 Referendum results in Parliament.

We must know enough about Bougainville's background and the relevant issues before making decisions relating to the referendum result and the political future of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

I therefore encourage each of us to acquaint ourselves with this part of our national history. Guided by the Bougainville Peace Agreement, PNG national leaders have jointly demonstrated with Bougainville counterparts that we can draw from our Melanesian ways to build trust and foster smart solutions to ways forward. The consultation process that has been taking place since the Bougainville election in 2020 is integral to this ongoing endeavour. The National Parliament, as the ultimate decision-making body in the country, has a role to play in determining the way ahead, particularly in relation to the ratification issue after the consultation process.

Let this website be the avenue for the national government to disseminate all official information on Bougainville matters, a hub for information sharing and gathering and to broaden our outlook on drawing final conclusions for a better PNG and Bougainville relationship.

Director's Message

WEMIN BOI (MR)

DIRECTOR

In line with Cabinet's direction, and consistent with the Prime Minister's Statement to Parliament on 9th September 2021, a National Consultation and Awareness Program will be undertaken nationally to inform the people of Papua New Guinea of the Bougainville Peace Process, and the steps now required to secure a long-term political settlement.

The National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) will be leading this work, in close partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).

The objective will be to:

Provide all Papua New Guineans with information and understanding of the peace process, the referendum and the steps that must now be followed; and
Seek the views of Papua New Guineans on what form Bougainville's long term political future should take.
The Parliamentary Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville Matters will take a lead on this.

To aid this work, NCOBA will prepare its website as well as using its social media tools to make available vital information readily available and downloadable.

In tandem with the dissemination of information, a consultation process will also take place. This process will use several channels to solicit the views of interested Papua New Guineans:

A call for submissions, by the Special Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville, from interested persons who wish to express a view on what form a long-term political settlement should take, and how this might affect the rest of Papua New Guinea.
A feedback page, via a dedicated social media site and website, where members of the public can express their views.
Public forums, to be led by the Joint Parliamentary Bipartisan Committee, where members of the Public can register to attend. These forums will take place in all four regions of the nation and will be supported by NCOBA which will provide secretariat and record keeping support.

The National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs has worked with and supported different stakeholders in addressing different aspects of the Bougainville situation. At the political level and technical officials level, NCOBA has gladly assisted the Minister for Bougainville Affairs and other key stakeholders during the Post Referendum arrangements.

We have consistently played our part in ensuring that the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and Post Referendum arrangements is implemented as best as possible.

Thank you.

Mr. Wemin Boi

Welcome to the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs

Dedicated to serving the people and promoting sustainable development

The National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs is committed to facilitating peace, autonomy, and development in the Bougainville region. We work collaboratively with local communities, government agencies, and international partners to achieve our shared goals.

About NCOBA

After the signing of Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Enactment Organic Law on Peace Building in 2001, the National Executive Council (NEC), through a special NEC meeting No. 02/2007 and decision No. 10 of 2007 on the 16th January 2007, established the Bougainville Peace and Restoration Office (BPRO). The (NCOBA) is a constitutional Office established under the constitution for the purpose of coordinating the implementation of autonomy, weapons disposal and the referendum for Bougainville. The key constitutional responsibility of the office is to provide an effective and efficient coordination and implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Post – Referendum arrangements by the NCOBA as the lead government coordinating agency. NCOBA plays an increased role in the relationship between the Government of PNG and the ABG and the people of Bougainville.

Vision & Mission

Vision

"To have a prosperous, stable and Harmonious Bougainville through effective coordination from NCOBA"

Mission

"NCOBA delivering effective and efficient implementation of the Bougainville Peace agreement and the post – referendum arrangements, as the lead government coordinating agency"

Our Mandate and Role & Responsibilities

Mandate

NCOBA was established by NEC at its special meeting No. 02/2007 and decision No. 10 of 2007 on the 16th January 2007. The NEC agreed to practical measures that would strengthen the national coordination in relation to the agreed agreement for Bougainville Autonomy, Restoration, and Development, and preparation for the guaranteed Referendum. The guaranteed Referendum has now been successfully concluded hence the shift of NCOBA's mandate to cover the post-referendum arrangements. Consultation between the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government and the ratification by the National Parliament will now take place to further define and determine the political status of Bougainville.

Role & Responsibilities

NCOBA's major role and responsibility is to effectively lead the coordination of the implementation of the Bougainville peace Agreement and the post referendum agreement on behalf of the National Government.

Core Values

Integrity

We will practice to professionalism. Transparency and best practices at work place.
We will be complaint to the established workplace guidelines, systems, processes and procedures.
We will trust and value our clients service providers and the people of Bougainville and PNG

Responsibility & Accountability

We will be responsible to deliver our mandated tasks and duties effectively and efficiently.
We will be accountable for decisions, actions and inactions.
We will provide user friendly services to our clients, service providers and all stakeholders.

Relationship and Competence

We will practice a work culture of team work, collaboration, and cooperation internally within NCOBA.
We will collaborate and cooperate with our external Government agencies and stakeholders.
We will practice a work culture of continuous improvement of personnel skills, knowledge gaps and under performance.
We will strive for excellence and results.

Respect

We will value and respect each member of the staff at the work place and our clients.
We will promote fairness and honesty at work place.

Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

We embrace gender equality and social inclusion policy principles and their applications at work place.