U.S. Government Witnesses signing of Mt Goplom Conservation Deed at Kwiop Village, Jiwaka Province.
Blog post description.
7/27/20251 min read
The signing of the Mt Goplom conservation deed in Kwiop village, Jimi District, marks a significant milestone for biodiversity preservation in Papua New Guinea. Witnessed by U.S. Ambassador Erin McKee, Jimi Open MP Wake Goi, Jiwaka Governor William Tongamp, and local leaders, the event underscores community-driven conservation as a model for other regions. Ambassador McKee highlighted PNG’s global importance as one of 17 megadiverse countries, home to unique species such as Goodfellow’s tree-kangaroo and the Eastern long-beaked echidna. The Bismarck Range, central to PNG’s biodiversity and livelihoods, is under increasing threat despite sustaining over 85 percent of the rural population. Recognizing this, the U.S. government, through USAID’s Lukautim Graun Project and in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, is supporting local communities to strengthen sustainable livelihoods, enhance natural resource governance, and secure environmental resilience for future generations. This initiative blends conservation with economic growth, ensuring biodiversity preservation benefits both PNG and the wider world.