AGP Executive Report

AI & Skills Boost: PNG’s DICT and the International Training Institute (ITI) have signed a five-year deal to grow AI capability and digital skills through curriculum upgrades, internships, corporate training and staff upskilling, with a technical working group set to oversee delivery. Seven-Year Accountability Push: Prime Minister James Marape has ordered ministers, agencies and provincial leaders to publicly table detailed reports on achievements, spending and challenges from the past seven years after presenting the Marape-Rosso performance review in Parliament. Deepwater Energy Prospects: The Mailu-1 ultra-deepwater exploration well is set to be drilled within two months offshore between Central and Milne Bay, with TotalEnergies and PETRONAS touting potential for major new investment. Bougainville Referendum Process: Marape urged Parliament to handle the 2019 independence result with maturity and respect, but Bougainville leaders are alarmed by a higher-than-expected ratification voting threshold. Manus Food Disruption: Volcanic pumice rafts from an undersea eruption are blocking boats and damaging fishing on Manus, raising fears of food shortages. Sport & Youth: The PNG women’s rugby league Santos Cup expands into more provinces, while PNG U-19s face a winner-takes-all qualifier against Cook Islands after Tonga’s loss. Diplomacy: Israel says it will open a representative office in PNG after talks with Marape.

Bougainville Independence Process: Bougainville Vice President Ezekiel Masatt says PNG is making ratification harder after Parliament revelations on a proposed 75% threshold, arguing it goes beyond constitutional requirements and undermines the peace process. Bougainville Parliament Procedure: Bougainville MP Peter Tsiamalili Jr urges lawmakers to back a sessional order first, saying Parliament should agree on the pathway before debating the 2019 referendum outcome. Healthcare Funding Pressure: Health Minister Elias Kapavore faces mounting calls to explain K1.5 billion allocations as hospitals report overcrowding, medicine shortages and poor service delivery, with demands for transparency and clear acquittals. Rural Isolation Spotlight: A Rai Coast student warns that without a road link to Madang, communities rely on dangerous sea travel, lose income from cash crops, and face rising social problems. Port Moresby Development: The K400 million Noble Centre in downtown Port Moresby is set to open tomorrow, with the developer saying it’s fully certified and ready for tenants. Sports—PNG on the Move: Twelve PNG athletes have flown to Manila for the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, while PNG’s U-19 side starts its OFC qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win over Tonga. Business & Investment: First speakers are confirmed for the 2026 PNG Investment Conference in Brisbane, and the EU-PNG business forum is reported to have drawn more than 300 participants.

OFC U-19 Football: Papua New Guinea kicked off the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026 qualifying in Rarotonga with a 4-0 win over Tonga, led by David Tita’s hat-trick as PNG press their case to qualify. Volcanic Hazard in PNG: PNG’s Mineral Resources Authority says a submarine volcano in the Bismarck Sea is still active, with pumice rafts washing ashore in Manus and tsunami risk remaining above normal; boat operators are warned about blocked intakes. EU–PNG Business Push: The EU and PNG reaffirmed trade and investment ties at the 5th EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby, with 300+ participants and 170+ meetings aimed at new partnerships. Bougainville Independence Process: Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba is set to table the draft process for bringing the 2019 referendum result into PNG Parliament as debate heats up. Sports & Community: Madang United notched a 4-1 home win over NCD in the PNG Premier Soccer League, while Coca-Cola PNG launched a Digicel Cup collectible series for fans. Aviation Update: PNG Air is taking new ATR 42-600s as it moves toward an all-ATR fleet, expanding capacity and retiring older Dash 8 aircraft.

Bougainville Independence: Parliament is set to resume with a key move on the 2019 Bougainville referendum, with Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba expected to table the draft sessional order for ratification discussions. Disability Services: PNG’s Disability Services Act 2025 is still waiting for implementation, with officials saying provincial and NCDC coordination is lagging. Team PNG Funding: The PNG Olympic Committee has approved a 520-strong Team PNG for the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific Games, but says government sports funding commitments are still unpaid. Police and Pacific Security: Australia plans AUD$46m for police deployments in Solomon Islands in next week’s budget, as regional security and China’s growing role stay in focus. Mining and Exploration: K92 Mining will invest up to K150m in exploration, while PNG CORE appoints Richard Kassman as executive director to strengthen industry advocacy. Environment and Finance: Ok Tedi marks World Environment Day with tree planting, and PNG’s Green Finance Summit 2026 drew 240 delegates and new investment commitments. Digital Crime: Fiji is hosting Pacific legal experts to finalise a cybercrime legislation handbook, with PNG among participants. Regional Disaster Watch: A 7.8 quake in the southern Philippines has killed dozens and triggered tsunami warnings across parts of the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea.

Philippines Earthquake: A powerful 7.8-magnitude quake struck southern Mindanao near General Santos, killing at least 35 people with dozens missing and more than 130 injured as buildings collapsed and landslides hit areas like Sarangani’s Glan; authorities urged coastal residents to move to higher ground after tsunami warnings spread across the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea, with aftershocks continuing. PNG Leadership & Policy: Papua New Guinea’s PNG CORE appointed Richard Kassman as its new executive director, tasking him with strengthening policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement for the resources and energy sector. Cybercrime Push in the Pacific: Legal experts meeting in Fiji, including PNG representatives, are finalising a regional handbook to help countries strengthen cybercrime laws and defenses. Local Governance & Environment: NCD Governor Powes Parkop marked World Environment Day with a call for practical climate action, including tree-planting in Port Moresby. Sports: PNG opened OFC U-19 Men’s qualifying in the Cook Islands with a 4-0 win over Tonga, led by David Tita’s hat-trick.

Disaster Response: A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao in the southern Philippines, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 100, with buildings collapsing in General Santos and tsunami waves reported along nearby coasts. Regional Tsunami Alerts: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings for the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea, urging coastal communities to move to higher ground as aftershocks continued. PNG Leadership & Preparedness: PNG’s emergency monitoring stayed on alert after the quake, while the Foreign Office issued urgent travel advice for people heading to the affected Mindanao areas. Energy & Governance: Papua New Guinea’s resources and energy chamber PNG CORE appointed Richard Kassman as executive director, bringing decades of leadership across petroleum, energy, tourism and governance. Youth & Elections: A Port Moresby youth forum urged young voters to register, verify their details and vote responsibly ahead of the 2027 National General Election. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Research on mobile internet prices in PNG found stability through 2025 as new undersea cable projects roll out. Community Safety: South Pacific Brewery donated six operational tents to Highlands police to support border checkpoint operations and crack down on contraband. Politics in Focus: Bougainville’s political status remains PNG’s biggest challenge, with independence debate and parliamentary process continuing to heat up.

OFC U19 Qualifiers: David Tita fired a hat-trick as Papua New Guinea beat Tonga 4-0 in Rarotonga, putting PNG one win from the OFC U19 Men’s Championship spot in Samoa. Aviation & Infrastructure: The National Government has launched a major redevelopment and expansion of Port Moresby International Airport, with costs up to K2.5 billion to modernise the gateway. Water Security: The EU and EIB backed a Water Wise Communities project, pledging €25m concessional loan plus €16.4m grant to improve drinking-water access for about 400,000 people. EU Business Push: The 5th EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby drew 300+ participants and 77 companies, focusing on energy, water, digital transformation and trade rules. Health Services: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restored X-ray services after nearly eight years, easing delays and travel for patients. Marine Protection: PNG announced a Western Manus Marine Protected Area covering about 200,000 km² with a total fishing ban, as part of a wider Melanesian Ocean Corridor. Sports Development: PNG Tennis Association and the ITF ran a U12 West Pacific training camp in Port Moresby for young players from PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

OFC U-19 Football Qualifiers: Papua New Guinea opened its first qualifying campaign with a 3-point win over Tonga, led by David Tita’s hat-trick as PNG set up a fight for a spot at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026 in Samoa. Aviation Infrastructure: The National Government and National Airports Corporation launched a major redevelopment and expansion of Port Moresby International Airport, with a cost up to K2.5 billion, aimed at modernising the gateway and boosting PNG’s regional hub role. Marine Protection: PNG announced a Western Manus Marine Protected Area covering about 200,000 km², including a total fishing ban, as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves. Water Security Funding: EU and EIB support will expand drinking-water networks, with a loan and grant package expected to improve access to safe water for an additional 400,000 people. EU-PNG Business Push: The 5th EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby brought together government and companies to drive investment talks across energy, water, digital transformation and sustainable extractives. Digital Media Trust: PNG’s DICT says Digital Public Infrastructure could help tackle fake accounts and strengthen trusted information systems for the media sector. Sports Development: PNG Tennis Association and the ITF hosted an ITF U12 West Pacific training camp in Port Moresby to develop young players from PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Marine Protection Push: Papua New Guinea is moving to protect about 200,000 km² of ocean in western Manus with a total fishing ban, as part of a wider Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves. Airport Upgrade: The Government and National Airports Corporation have launched a major Port Moresby International Airport redevelopment worth up to K2.5 billion to modernise the aviation hub. EU Water Funding: The EU and EIB Global backed a drinking-water expansion project with €25m concessional loan plus €16.4m grant, targeting extra 400,000 people with safer supplies. Aviation Regulation: PNG’s ICCC has recommended independent economic regulation for airport operator NAC and air navigation provider NiuSky Pacific, aiming for fairer charges and better accountability. Digital Media Trust: PNG’s ICT department says Digital Public Infrastructure could strengthen the media sector through digital identity, payments and secure data exchange to cut fake accounts and improve information reliability. Football Pathway: Papua New Guinea joins hosts Cook Islands and Tonga in OFC U19 Men’s Championship qualifiers in Rarotonga, with qualification spots for the 2026 finals and the 2027 U-20 World Cup at stake. Business & Investment: The 5th EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby drew 77 companies and focused on renewable energy, water security, digital transformation and trade rules.

Aviation Upgrade: Papua New Guinea has launched a major redevelopment and expansion of Port Moresby International Airport, with a program costing up to K2.5 billion to modernise the gateway and support future air travel growth. Marine Protection: PNG is moving to protect about 200,000 km² of ocean in western Manus with a Western Manus Marine Protected Area, including a total fishing ban, as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves. EU Investment in Water: The EU and EIB Global backed a Water Wise Communities project with €25m concessional loan plus €16.4m in grants to improve drinking-water access for an extra 400,000 people. Digital Trust for Media: PNG’s ICT department says Digital Public Infrastructure—digital identity, payments and secure data exchange—could help tackle fake accounts and strengthen trusted information in the media sector. Sports Pathway: Papua New Guinea joins the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026 qualifying tournament in Rarotonga, with the winner earning a route to the U-20 World Cup. Business & Regulation: PNG’s ICCC recommends independent economic regulation for airport operator NAC and air navigation provider NiuSky Pacific, aiming for clearer charges and better accountability in aviation.

EU–PNG Business Forum: Prime Minister James Marape used the 5th EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby to push a decade of growth tied to Papua LNG, Wafi-Golpu and P’nyang, while the EU backed PNG’s priorities with major deals including a Water Wise Communities project (EIB loan plus EU grant) to improve drinking water for 400,000 people. Water & health delivery: The EU/EIB water funding was matched by local wins like Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands restoring X-ray services after nearly eight years. Digital trust and media: PNG’s ICT push for Digital Public Infrastructure is aimed at trusted digital identity, payments and secure data exchange, with officials also moving to use Sevis PNG Digital ID to tackle fake social media accounts and online harassment. Aviation regulation: PNG’s consumer watchdog ICCC recommends independent economic regulation for airport operator NAC and air navigation provider NiuSky Pacific, to improve transparency and accountability. Mining update: K92 Mining expanded high-grade Arakompa zones ahead of a maiden resource estimate, reporting 33 more drill holes. Marine protection: PNG designated the Western Manus Marine Protected Area as part of a wider Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, targeting fisheries protection across a biodiversity-rich ocean corridor.

Aviation Regulation: PNG’s Independent Consumer and Competition Commission recommends putting airport operator National Airports Corporation and air navigation provider NiuSky Pacific under independent economic regulation, aiming for clearer charges and better service and investment planning. Digital Identity Push: Acting ICT Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr says PNG will move from Sevis PNG Digital ID pilots to a legal framework for verifiable credentials, to help police trace fake social media accounts and enforce cybercrime laws. Bougainville Independence Tensions: Bougainville leaders warn PNG Parliament’s debate on the 2019 referendum report could test the independence mandate, with ABG officials calling the process premature. Ocean Protection: PNG designates a Western Manus Marine Protected Area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, expanding conservation in a biodiversity-rich region. Mining and Jobs: K92 reports expanded high-grade drilling at Arakompa and says it employs about 3,100 people, while Metso seeks faster work-permit rules to bring in experts and hire locals. Community and Education: Paradise Foods’ Smart Start School Promotion hands out K33,000 to Hagita Primary and K11,000 to Karea Primary, and baby Sawong returns home after six months of life-saving treatment in Australia.

Digital Security: PNG’s new Sevis PNG Digital ID platform is set to help police and regulators verify online identities, targeting fake Facebook accounts and anonymous cyberbullying raised in Parliament. Bougainville Politics: Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama says the 2019 independence mandate will be “tested” as MPs debate the bipartisan referendum report, while ABG leaders warn the process could derail the Melanesian Agreement. Regional Security: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale says he will review the 2022 China security pact after talks in Canberra with Australia’s Anthony Albanese. Climate & Food Risks: El Niño preparedness is under strain, with provinces yet to receive specific funding for response activities as drought fears grow. Aviation & Connectivity: PNG Air has relaunched ticket sales through Post PNG outlets nationwide, and Mt Hagen’s Kagamuga Airport runway upgrade is underway to handle larger jets by end-2026. Economy & Jobs: K92 reports a workforce of about 3,100 and ramps exploration, while Finnish firm Metso eyes PNG expansion but wants faster work-permit processes. Ocean Protection: PNG plans a Western Manus no-take marine sanctuary covering 214,000 sq km to safeguard fisheries and biodiversity.

Cervical Cancer Breakthrough: Dr Pamela Toliman, long-time PNGIMR researcher, wins the 2025 WOW Awards Public Sector category for work on rapid HPV testing and prevention models that can reach women far from clinics. Health System Clarity: Health Minister Elias Kapavore told Parliament PMGH is now a Level Six National Referral Hospital under the 2021 six-tier standards, after confusion over its previous Level Seven label. Bougainville Independence Tension: President Ishmael Toroama says Bougainville’s 2019 referendum mandate will be “tested” as Parliament tables the bipartisan report, while Bougainville leaders warn debate is premature. Aviation Access Boost: PNG Air has relaunched its ticketing partnership with Post PNG, rolling out sales at Post outlets nationwide, and the airline is also expanding its fleet while phasing out Dash 8s. Highlands Runway Upgrade: Kagamuga Airport (Mt Hagen) begins runway rehabilitation to handle Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 aircraft by end-2026. El Niño Worry: PNG braces for a possible Super El Niño, but provinces say they’ve not received specific preparedness funding. Marine Protection Plan: PNG moves toward creating the Western Manus no-take marine sanctuary, aiming to protect biodiversity and support sustainable fisheries. Skills and Jobs: Remington Technology and Don Bosco Technical School sign a 2026 MOU for workplace training and staff upskilling, while PAS PNG training reaches Loloata Island Resort. Mining Update: K92 advances drilling at the Wera gold prospect as exploration investment ramps up. Sports Pathways: The Lewas (women’s cricket) push toward Cricket World Cup qualification after winning Team of the Year, and a Gulf rugby league talent program targets girls’ pathways.

Bougainville Peace Process: PNG Parliament’s Bougainville debate is heating up as PM James Marape urges unity, respect and constitutional process, while Bougainville leaders push back—Bougainville VP Ezekiel Masatt calls parts of the ratification push “foolish and premature,” and Namah urges MPs to reject the 2019 independence result over alleged constitutional and arms-disposal gaps. El Niño Preparedness: PNG warns provinces are not yet funded for a possible “Super El Nino,” with disaster officials saying highlands regions are under watch but response money hasn’t been allocated. Media Resilience & AI: DICT says PNG is building an AI strategy to tackle misinformation, and NBC’s Kora Nou calls for stronger, trusted media systems as digital change strains newsrooms. Transport & Connectivity: PNG Air relaunches its ticketing partnership with Post PNG to expand access nationwide, while the CIMC transport committee flags long-running funding, enforcement and coordination problems. Economy & Investment: Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey says export earnings hit a record K51b, and PM Marape opens the 5th EU-PNG Business Forum urging more European investment beyond raw materials. Aviation Safety: PNG is elected chair of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office Council for the next year. Sports & Community: Gulf’s rural rugby league program is identifying young women players, and PNG’s Lewas are named “Team of the Year” after a standout 2025.

Bougainville Peace Process: PNG MPs are debating whether to ratify the 2019 Bougainville independence referendum, as Prime Minister James Marape urges unity and constitutional process while Bougainville leaders and MPs trade sharp accusations over whether key post-referendum steps are complete. Economy & Trade: Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey says PNG export earnings hit a record K51 billion since 2022, pointing to IMF-backed stabilisation and improved reserves. Parliament & Courts: The Opposition says the Government should not pursue the Kroton Special Purpose Vehicle, citing pending National Court interpretation. Media & Tech: NBC managing director Kora Nou warns that citizen journalism and social media are straining traditional newsrooms, even as PNG pushes digital solutions. Investment & Infrastructure: The EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby highlights a major water expansion deal backed by EIB and EU funding for 400,000 people. Aviation Innovation: PNG is set to implement space-based air traffic management, aiming to boost safety across remote areas. Sports: PNG’s Lewas win “Team of the Year” at the SP Sports Awards, while the U-19 men’s team departs for OFC qualifiers in the Cook Islands.