GIBSON Gala walked hours a day to get to school in Northern, studied hard and heeded advice in the hope that one day he would become successful.
“I knew that the only way that I was going to achieve success was to focus on my education and be a role model to my younger siblings and the community.”
Gibson, 34, is from Chimbu and Northern. He lives in Port Moresby. He is the third eldest in a family of six.
He completed Grade Eight in Popondetta in 2003 and attended Martys Boys in 2004, then Sogeri National High school in 2008. He enrolled at the University of PNG in 2010 for a Bachelor in Science degree course.
Gibson Gala during the Asia Pacific Leadership dialogue in Bangkok held in 2024.
He also obtained a Certificate in Education in 2020, a Diploma in Development in 2022, and a Masters in Disaster Risk Financing from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand in 2023.
“My dad was a teacher and mum is a housewife. We grew up at my mum’s place in Northern.
“Dad earned K600 fortnightly from which he managed to raise me and my siblings. I spent most of the time with my uncles in the village. They had a lot of influence in my upbringing.
“I used to stay with them and walk hours daily to school. My mum is my greatest hero because with little education, she was someone who pushed me through my ups and downs.
“I owe my success to my family for believing in me and providing for me and my siblings when younger. I never thought I would be recognized for such dialogues which is testament to the struggle and sacrifice earlier on in life.”
Gibson is an international and rural development practitioner with more than a decade of experience working in PNG and the Pacific region.
He is preparing himself to represent PNG at the Indo-Pacific tour – the first person to be selected for the programme.
He was selected by Australian Institute of International Affairs and Japan Foundation to join the AIIA Japan Foundation Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network.
Gibson Gala making a presentation in the New Zealand parliament in 2020 prior to receiving the leadership award from the NZ Foreign Affairs Minister.
“The Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network is designed to foster meaningful dialogue, professional exchange, and long-term collaboration among emerging and established leaders, researchers, and practitioners with an interest in regional affairs.
“As a member of the network, I will have opportunities to participate in AIIA Japan Foundation-supported activities, engage with peers across the region, and contribute to discussions on key strategic, political, economic, and social issues shaping the Indo-Pacific region.
“PNG joins emerging leaders and practitioners from the Indo-Pacific region for the tour in Japan, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.”
His postings were with the German Development Cooperation, the Global Shield Initiative Against Climate Risk, Expertise France, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, South Pacific Community, International Organization for Migration, World Health Organizations, and the Global Green Growth Institute.
I knew that the only way that I was going to achieve success was to focus on my education and be a role model to my younger siblings and the community.”
He was also the youth representative for Pacific Islands with the United Nations and was the winner of a leadership award in the NZ Parliament in 2020 given by the NZ government.
He worked for eight years before returning to the University of Canterbury in New Zealand to complete a Post-Graduate Diploma in Development, a Certificate in Education and a Masters in Disaster Risk Financing.
(Late) Mom Leah and dad Joseph Gala at the University of Papua New Guinea to attend Gibson’s Graduation in 2013. – Pictures courtesy of Gibson Gala
During studies for his Masters, his thesis examined the World Bank disaster and climate risk financing options for Pacific island countries, highlighting the value of risk layering and financial preparedness for climate related shocks.
“Climate and disaster risk financing is where my interest lies. PNG is now receiving funding from global actors for climate change but there is a need to build systems at the country level.”
Gibson believes in the motto: “The price of greatness is responsibility.” For him, making life meaningful for himself involves being of service to others.