GLOBAL DEFENDER AWARD RECEIVED IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA ON RECIPIENT’S 44TH BIRTHDAY, FIVE MONTHS AFTER TRAVEL TO MEXICO CURTAILED BY SECURITY CONCERNS
KAVIENG, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, September 29, 2026— Five months after its intended presentation, the prestigious Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) "Defender of Democracy Award" has safely arrived in Papua New Guinea, New IrelandProvince.
The award, intended for Jonathan Mesulam, was delivered by post on a uniquely fitting day: the recipient's 44th birthday.
The 2026 award, was presented by PGA in recognition of "exceptional contributions to environmental and human rights defense."
Mr Mesulam says, the road to receiving the award was not easy. A formal ceremony had been planned in Mexico, where Mr. Mesulam was scheduled to accept the honor in person.
However, citing significant security reasons, the planned travel did not proceed. As a result, the physical award began a long, five-month postal journey from the PGA secretariat.
The delivery today, perfectly coincided with Mr. Mesulam's 44th birthday, was a welcome and meaningful event.
"After the five-month wait, getting this on my birthday makes it extra special," said Mr. Mesulam, who is pictured smiling as he holds the award.
"I am deeply grateful to the Papua New Guinea Post Office and the entire PGA team for their careful efforts to get this across the world and safely into my hands."
Mr. Mesulam emphasized the personal significance of the award's message.
"This award will be a lifelong reminder of my purpose and my life's work. It reaffirms the work we do every day to protect nature and nature's defenders."
The recognition by Parliamentarians for Global Action—a global network of over 1,300 legislators in 143 parliaments—underscores the international importance of the environmental and human rights work being conducted in the province.
