As one of the world’s 17 ‘megadiverse’ countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) boasts a wealth of natural capital including tropical rainforest, rugged highlands and coastal areas, with a rich array of flora and fauna. Much of this diversity cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and there are likely many species yet to be discovered. But while the nation’s biodiversity is critically important for global conservation and climate change mitigation goals, its forests and habitats are facing increasing degradation due to unsustainable use driven by poverty and a reliance on subsistence farming.

CIFOR-ICRAF is working to promote both conservation and inclusive and gender-responsive green growth by supporting local communities’ visions of sustainable economic development. In 2021, CIFOR-ICRAF signed a memorandum of agreement with the governor of Oro Province, Hon. Gary Juffa, to begin piloting a bottom-up community conservation approach in the Managalas Conservation Area (MCA) in Oro Province.