Access and Benefit Sharing : Policy and Legal Implications for Papua New Guinea

The interests and issues on Access Benefit Sharing in Papua New Guinea captured in this publication are envisioned to stir a whole array of socio-political and economic questions in Papua New Guinea. Some of the major issues have been highlighted in the different subject matters in the respective chapters and there is also an expectation that other local and national issues will emerge that have not been manifested to date. However, with this publication it is essential for developments in the Access Benefit Sharing to contribute in a positive way through an appropriate national policy and law to respond to Kwa's reminder: "The government has to make a serious commitment to its people and the environment through the reformation of the natural resources sector to comply with the constitutional directive. Successive governments have paid lip service to the development of a coherent system that will adequately cover the management of the natural resources for the benefit of the present and future generations. The time to act is now and not tomorrow."