Regional disaster fund promoted by PNG's Polye

3:08 pm on 1 December 2015

The Papua New Guinea opposition leader, Don Polye, is calling for the Peter O'Neill government to immediately establish a climate-change fund.

Papua New Guinea opposition leader Don Polye.

Papua New Guinea opposition leader Don Polye. Photo: Papua New Guinea opposition.

Mr Polye says such a fund will benefit PNG and other countries in the region that are vulnerable to climate change.

He says it has been mooted by the ACP group, while countries like the United States, and agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund would back it.

Mr Polye says the fund would be available to help fragile economies like Vanuatu, which was devastated by Cyclone Pam earlier this year.

He says it would a relief for small island economies in their recovery efforts after a natural disaster strikes.