Oliver’s journey is as distinctive as it’s inspiring. Born in Germany to a diplomatic household, with roots in each Bougainville and West New Britain, he brings a wealthy mix of worldwide publicity and native understanding.
Oliver’s involvement in key local weather initiatives and important safety preparations in Papua New Guinea, together with the PNG-Australia Bilateral Safety Settlement, gives listeners a window into the complicated but pivotal challenges going through the Pacific right now.
Oliver remembers flying into Honiara, Solomon Islands, on a six-seater aircraft alongside senior authorities officers within the quick aftermath of the November 2021 unrest, “I bear in mind vividly…there was smoke blowing within the air once we landed. There was no person on the runway…so we simply needed to land and work out the place to park the aircraft.”
Probably the most poignant moments within the dialog is Oliver’s reflection on the private impression of local weather change: “The surroundings is continually altering… swimming creeks are drying up, the fruit timber you’d get pleasure from as a child are not bearing the identical.” This private connection to environmental modifications underscores the urgency of addressing local weather problem within the Pacific.
As Oliver embarks on his 12 months with the Lowy Institute, his concentrate on analysis round climate-induced migration and PNG’s social and safety panorama guarantees to convey recent views and progressive options to the sector.
Tune in to this episode of Pacific Change Makers for private reflections from Oliver Nobetau, FDC Pacific Analysis Fellow and considered one of PNG’s rising leaders, on witnessing the January unrest in Port Moresby, assembly the PNG Prime Minister, and dealing on among the most impactful and high-profile regional safety points within the Pacific right now.