3 Nov 2010

Mangrove planting to mark the start of Clinton's PNG visit

2:34 pm on 3 November 2010

The US Secretary of State's five-hour visit to Papua New Guinea's capital this evening will begin with a mangrove planting ceremony.

The acting director of the Prime Minister's media unit says Hillary Clinton will arrive at a quarter to five local time and attend the planting ceremony at Port Moresby Technical College before visiting the Governor General.

Theresia Komo says a meeting between Mrs Clinton and women leaders will precede meetings with Sir Michael Somare and selected cabinet ministers.

Mrs Clinton's aides have said bilateral discussions will canvass how PNG is to manage revenue from the liquified natural gas project but Ms Komo says she doesn't know the meetings' itineraries.

"But it'll basically be US-PNG relations and the Clinton Foundation will also be discussed and the work of the Clinton Foundation in Papua New Guinea especially in regards to HIV and AIDS."

The acting director of the PNG Prime Minister's media unit, Theresia Komo.