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 vital safety preparations in Papua New Guinea, together with the PNG-Australia Bilateral Safety Settlement, provides listeners a window into the advanced but pivotal challenges dealing with the Pacific right now.
Oliver remembers flying into Honiara, Solomon Islands, on a six-seater airplane alongside senior authorities officers within the rapid aftermath of the November 2021 unrest, “I bear in mind vividly…there was smoke blowing within the air once we landed. There was no one on the runway…so we simply needed to land and work out the place to park the airplane.”
One of the vital poignant moments within the dialog is Oliver’s reflection on the non-public affect of local weather change: “The atmosphere is continually altering… swimming creeks are drying up, the fruit bushes you’d take pleasure in as a child are now 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 yr with the Lowy Institute, his deal with analysis round climate-induced migration and PNG’s social and safety panorama guarantees to carry recent views and progressive options to the sphere.
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 a few of the most impactful and high-profile regional safety points within the Pacific right now.