Leaders streaming into Port Moresby

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

LEADERS of the 8th ACP Summit have been arriving since yesterday with expected visitor numbers to reach the 500 hundred mark according to Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Included in the list of arrivals will include chairman of the African Union represented by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe along with vice presidents, prime minister, ministers, and ambassadors.

Minister Pato said the meet is vital in preparation for APEC 2018 following other successful events including the Pacific Islands Forum, the 15th Pacific Games, the 40th Independence Celebrations.

“I think we are looking at something in the region of maybe 300 to 500 people in attendance and of course the meetings will take place at different venues here in Papua New Guinea. Most of it will take place at the International Convention Center,” Pato said.

“We may have some of those proceedings in the National Parliament as well, as well as at the Sir John Guise Stadium where we have hosted some of these events quiet successfully so we are very excited.”

Confirmed numbers will see over 50 delegations from the 79 member States with heads of delegations including one president, four vice presidents, 13 prime ministers, one deputy prime minister, one speaker of parliament, 14 ministers, and 16 ambassadors.

Organisers have indicated that other ministers will be accompanying heads of delegations for an expected 20 to 35 ministers.

The majority of the meeting will be held at International Conference Center where the opening to the summit will be held.