Groundbreaking Ceremony for National Fisheries College Project in Kavieng

　On 20 May, JICA joined the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, to celebrate the groundbreaking of “the Project for the Improvement of Facilities and Training Equipment of National Fisheries College”. From PNG side, Honorable Sir Ano Para (Ministry for National Planning) and Honorable Jelta Wong (Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources) attended the ceremony while Mr. Yoneda Gen (Director General for Southeast Asia and Pacific) and Mr. Takahashi Yoichiro (First Secretary of the embassy of Japan) attended the ceremony. This marks not only the start of construction, but a new chapter in a partnership that has been growing for more than 50 years.

　The NFC was established as Japan’s first Official Development Assistance (ODA) project in PNG. Since then, PNG and Japan have worked together to develop skilled fisheries professionals, many of whom now play key roles across government, industry, and the Pacific region.

　Fisheries remain a vital sector for PNG, supporting livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. JICA has contributed through training more than 600 Papua New Guineans in Japan, supporting fish markets across the country, dispatching experts and volunteers, and strengthening aquaculture development—placing people trained at NFC at the heart of this progress.

　The new grant aid project, valued at over PGK 93 million, will upgrade NFC with modern training facilities, a jetty, vessels, and equipment. It will help the next generation gain the practical skills needed to manage and lead PNG’s fisheries sector, while also promoting inclusive opportunities for women and persons with disabilities.

Built on over 50 years of “Tomodachi” — friendship and trust — this partnership continues to grow stronger. Together, PNG and Japan will nurture talent, protect marine resources, and build a sustainable future for generations to come.