AGP Executive Report

Pacific Security & Ports: The US says it’s putting US$150m into Pacific partnerships, including US$60m for fuel-crisis support and US$17m to tackle illegal fishing, plus a feasibility study for Tonga’s ports and a NZ$100m Penrhyn port project in the Cook Islands to boost patrols and economic activity. Retirement & Financial Safety: Nambawan Super becomes a founding signatory to the PNG Empower Finance Code, while Westpac PNG signs the same code to strengthen safeguards against financial abuse. Football Governance: PNGFA confirms the two-year suspension of the Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA) won’t stop PMSA players selected for national duties—only the member association must comply. Environment & Land Rights: A call for Parliament to fund Incorporated Land Group (ILG) registration argues customary landowners must be central to resource and environmental decisions. Hydropower Review: A new off-grid mini-hydro review highlights how community ownership and local skills kept Kudjip Nazarene Hospital’s system running for over a decade, and pushes to expand mini hydro. Mining Drilling Updates: Geopacific reports fresh high-grade gold hits at Woodlark; Taruga expands Wenasia/Sipupu gold-silver prospects; South Pacific Metals extends Megabe mineralisation beyond 300m. Budget & Public Sector Accountability: Finance Minister Thomas Opa defends the K3B supplementary budget as urgent relief; MPs question Marape’s legal basis for suspending over 70 agency heads. Consumer Protection: ICCC plans to place agents in every province to bring complaints handling and market monitoring closer to people. Bougainville Timing: Opposition leader James Nomane urges MPs to slow down before ratifying the 2019 independence referendum result.

Financial Safety & Inclusion: Westpac PNG has signed the PNG Empower Finance Code, backing stronger safeguards against financial abuse and scams, with the Bank of PNG’s Empower Finance Kibung driving shared action across the sector. Anti-Corruption: PNG’s ICAC has arrested and charged five senior provincial education officials and a school principal’s wife over alleged misuse of K908,839.50 in Tuition Fee Free funds in New Ireland. Consumer Protection Push: The ICCC says it will build a regulatory presence in every province under its 2026-2030 plan, using provincial agents to handle complaints and monitor compliance more closely. Labour Mobility Watch: A labour mobility debate is heating up after reports of inadequate protections for PNG workers abroad, including a case involving a worker’s death and follow-up issues with family support and claims. Mining & Exploration: South Pacific Metals extended the Megabe mineralised strike at its Osena Project to over 300 metres, while Great Pacific Gold reported broad, shallow gold results at Kavasuki in East New Britain. Energy & LNG Deals: PNG’s revised Papua LNG gas agreement sets a 15 December deadline for a final investment decision and outlines conditional incentives tied to LNG price outcomes. Infrastructure Safety: PNG’s revised seismic bridge design manual flags Markham bridge as hazardous, with redesign and reconstruction discussions involving JICA as traffic pressures rise toward Wafi-Golpu. Sports & Business Links: CPL was named gold sponsor for the 60th PNG Medical Symposium for a fifth year, and local rugby talent continues to draw attention as clubs and sponsors align ahead of major competitions. Pacific Geopolitics: The Pacific Islands Forum in Palau is underway amid leader no-shows and China-Taiwan tensions, with PNG and other members sending mixed representation as the region’s business and diplomacy agenda gets pulled into great-power rivalry.

Labour Mobility Watch: PNG’s labour mobility debate is getting sharper after the death of a worker in Australia and complaints about unclear responsibility for welfare, insurance, wages and workplace safety—unions are urging stronger protections from both sending and receiving sides. Anti-Corruption Crackdown: ICAC has arrested five senior New Ireland education officials and the school principal’s wife over alleged misuse of Tuition Fee Free funds worth K908,839.50. PNG Governance Under Scrutiny: A CLRC review of the District Development Authority Act is underway in Gulf after concerns about weak accountability, poor financial management, procurement irregularities and staffing gaps. Consumer & Competition Oversight: The ICCC has tabled its Corporate Plan 2026–2030, promising stronger enforcement, better complaint handling, more product safety monitoring and expanded provincial presence. Pacific Islands Forum Tensions: At Palau’s PIF summit, China-linked concerns are rising after Taiwan’s presence and reports of leader no-shows, with Australia saying the forum decides attendance. Pacific LNG & Energy Signals: PNG’s revised Papua LNG gas agreement sets a 15 December “drop-dead” deadline for a final investment decision and could shift operator roles, while Santos shares and project progress keep energy investors focused on cash generation. Maritime Capability & Infrastructure Safety: JJ Ship Equip is pushing local support for PNG’s shipping needs, and PNG’s revised bridge seismic standards flag Markham and other bridges as hazardous, with redesign work expected. Local Business Boost: NCDC-approved reopening of Apo Street Market formalises 75 informal vendors with conditions on cleanliness, waste management and small daily fees.

Sports Diplomacy & Youth Development: Australia pledged $15.6m at the Pacific Islands Forum to boost high-performance sport for Pacific athletes heading toward Brisbane 2032, including support for PNG Chiefs and wider rugby league pathways. Fuel & FX Shock: PNG’s Petroleum and Energy Minister declared a 30-day state of emergency over fuel shortages and foreign exchange disruptions, directing BPNG to keep FX flowing to authorised dealers while requiring Puma Energy to maintain uninterrupted supply. Financial Protection for Households: Nasfund co-signed the PNG Empower Finance Code with BPNG and other institutions to tackle financial abuse and misuse, with extra focus on risks created by digital channels. Local Markets & Small Business: NCDC approved the reopening of Apo Street Market, formalising operations for 75 informal vendors with cleanliness and waste rules plus small daily fees. Disaster Readiness Gaps: UN and PNG health officials flagged uneven provincial disaster centre capacity—staffing, funding, infrastructure and equipment shortfalls—calling for stronger local institutions and investment. El Niño Pressure on Food & Farms: Coffee growers in the Highlands say El Niño drought is stalling ripening and demand better water support, while regional assessments warn of overlapping climate risks. Mining Community Benefits: The revised Hidden Valley CDA was signed, clearing the way for landowners and communities in Morobe to access development benefits from the Harmony Gold operation.

Fuel Crisis Response: PNG Petroleum and Energy Minister Kerenga Kua declares a 30-day state of emergency over fuel shortages, directing the Bank of PNG to maintain FX for licensed dealers while Puma Energy must keep uninterrupted supply, including aviation gas. Disaster Readiness: UN Resident Coordinator Shalini Bahuguna and Health Minister Dr Billy Joseph flag major gaps in provincial disaster centres—staffing, funding, infrastructure, transport, communications and information systems—calling for investment in institutions and skilled personnel, not just equipment. Fisheries Transparency: Sixteen nations including PNG back the Mombasa Declaration to curb illegal fishing by pushing low-cost transparency reforms like vessel ownership and licensing data sharing. Beneficial Ownership & AML: PNG joins a regional training exchange on tracing hidden assets and shell-company ownership, as the SEC-led push highlights how beneficial ownership data can help regulators and investigators. Mining Community Benefits: The revised Hidden Valley Mining Project CDA is signed, clearing the way for landowners and communities in Morobe to access development benefits. SME Growth Skills: A new focus on the “dilemma small businesses face” points to practical gaps in bookkeeping, cash-flow, budgeting, tax and marketing skills. Digital Sovereignty: Kumul Consolidated Holdings and Datatec promote “Sovereign Cloud Infinity” to keep key national data and services under PNG control. Finance Abuse Protection: Nasfund co-signs the PNG Empower Finance Code with BPNG and other institutions to tackle financial abuse and misuse, especially as digital channels expand. Infrastructure & Jobs: State takes a stake as PNG’s first lime and cement project nears production, with new bridges linking Kido landowners to Port Moresby. Climate Mobility: Fiji launches a NZ-funded Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships programme to relocate vulnerable communities through rights-based planning. Sports Tourism & Branding: Jarome Luai’s PNG Chiefs and Pepsi PNG tie-in continues alongside the PNG Open push, while Trukai signs Cooper Bai as brand ambassador. Education & Human Capital: Education Minister Francis Siune urges universities to back national development, praising Divine Word University’s 30 years of graduate impact.

Fuel Crisis Response: PNG Petroleum and Energy Minister Kerenga Kua declares a 30-day state of emergency over fuel shortages, directing the Bank of Papua New Guinea to maintain FX for licensed dealers and ordering Puma Energy to keep uninterrupted supply, including aviation gas, while interim and long-term solutions are developed. Health Security: PNG completes its first-ever Joint External Evaluation with WHO, assessing capacities under International Health Regulations and setting up a prioritized, costed national health security action plan. El Niño and Agriculture: Coffee farmers in the lower highlands say prolonged dry weather is stopping berries from ripening; they want better water access and stronger support as El Niño bites. Financial Inclusion: TISA and Kyeema Foundation sign a three-year MOU to boost rural livelihoods and financial inclusion, while Nasfund co-signs the PNG Empower Finance Code with BPNG to tackle financial abuse risks from digital interactions. Mining and Jobs: K92 Mining advertises 44 openings across Kainantu Gold Mine as operations expand. Business and Trade: The 70th PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival kicks off in Goroka with government and corporate support, aiming to connect farmers to markets and investment. Pacific Finance: Nasfund urges a Pacific co-investment framework at PIIF to pool superannuation capital for major infrastructure. Deep-Sea Mining Risk: A report warns Pacific governments could face investor-state disputes and “chilling effects” if they tighten deep-sea mining rules. Sports Sponsorship: Trukai signs rugby league rising star Cooper Bai as brand ambassador, and Westpac Fiji launches financial literacy training for Kaiviti Silktails players.

Health Security: Papua New Guinea has completed its first-ever Joint External Evaluation with the WHO, assessing capacity under IHR 2005 and setting up a prioritized, costed national health security action plan. Agriculture & Trade: The 70th PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival kicked off in Goroka, with government support including K15,000 from the Department of International Trade and Investment, while coffee farmers in the Highlands say El Niño dry spells are damaging berry ripening and are calling for better water support. Banking & Inclusion: Bank of PNG’s financial reform agenda is in focus, alongside Nasfund co-signing the PNG Empower Finance Code to curb financial abuse in a more digital, faceless world. Vehicle Finance Deal: TISA Bank and Toyota Tsusho PNG signed a referral partnership to expand vehicle financing access for retail, SMEs and corporate customers. Investment Push: Nasfund CEO Rajeev Sharma urged a Pacific co-investment framework at the PIIF conference to pool superannuation capital for major infrastructure. Energy/Mining Jobs: K92 Mining is advertising 44 roles at the Kainantu Gold Mine as it expands processing and underground programs. Sports Sponsorship: Trukai named rugby league rising star Cooper Bai as brand ambassador, and Pepsi also announced Jerome Luai as PNG ambassador. Policy & Governance: Parliament will decide Bougainville’s political future, PM Marape says, stressing the referendum result needs careful handling through constitutional process.

Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Climate-focused leaders are set to press Australia for faster emissions action as the summit opens, with PNG among members watching how foreign attention turns into real funding and control over resources. Bougainville process: Prime Minister James Marape says Parliament—not the Executive—will decide Bougainville’s next political steps after the 2019 referendum result was tabled, urging MPs to follow constitutional process. Banking reform: Bank of PNG outlines a financial reform agenda aimed at stability, inclusion and investment, with inflation forecasts around 4% and attention on El Niño risks. PNG LNG deal: Government signs a revised Papua LNG Project Agreement, setting a deadline for Final Investment Decision by 15 December 2026 while protecting the State’s long-term fiscal interests. Agriculture & trade push: The 70th PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival kicks off in Goroka with government and business support, including a K15,000 sponsorship from the Department of International Trade and Investment. Finance inclusion: Nasfund co-signs the PNG Empower Finance Code to tackle financial abuse in a more digital world. Energy & jobs: K92 Mining advertises 44 roles at Kainantu Gold Mine as operations expand. Women in business: CPL Foundation sets the stage for the 14th Pride of PNG Women Awards 2026, highlighting enterprise and community impact.

Banking & Inclusion: Nasfund co-signed the PNG Empower Finance Code with the Bank of Papua New Guinea, aiming to curb financial abuse as digital channels make impersonation easier. Vehicle Finance: TISA Bank and Toyota Tsusho PNG signed a referral partnership to make vehicle financing more accessible for retail customers, SMEs and corporates, with added insurance options. Rural Livelihoods: TISA and Kyeema Foundation PNG inked a three-year MOU to expand financial inclusion and sustainable rural livelihoods. Superannuation Investment: Nasfund CEO Rajeev Sharma pushed for a Pacific co-investment framework at the PIIF conference in Fiji to pool capital for major infrastructure. Energy & LNG: PNG signed three landmark Papua LNG agreements, setting a clear path to a Final Investment Decision by 15 December 2026, including a temporary risk-sharing price stabilisation mechanism. Financial Reform: Bank of PNG outlined a reform agenda focused on stability, inclusion and investment, with inflation forecast around 4% in 2026. Trade & Agriculture: The 70th PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival kicked off in Goroka, supported by the Department of International Trade and Investment, bringing farmers, processors and businesses together to push market access. Governance & Power: Parliament heard PNG Power is in a “terminal” condition, with reforms, provincial partnerships and possible privatisation on the table. Deep-sea Mining Risk: A report warns Pacific governments could face costly investor-state disputes if they tighten deep-sea mining rules.

Bank of PNG Reform Agenda: The central bank outlined a financial sector reform push focused on stability, inclusion and investment, with inflation forecast around 4% in 2026 and risks still being monitored. Agriculture & Trade Festival Boost: The 70th PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival kicked off in Goroka (Aug 28-30), with government and agencies backing farmers and SMEs to expand market access and downstream processing. Energy Deal Momentum: PNG signed revised Papua LNG agreements setting a clear path to a Final Investment Decision by 15 December 2026, using a temporary risk-sharing price stabilisation mechanism to protect the state’s long-term fiscal interests. Power Crisis & Reform: Parliament heard PNG Power is in “terminal” condition due to ageing assets and weak revenue collection, with government weighing provincial partnerships and partial privatisation. Maritime Cooperation: A PNG-Australia joint hydrographic survey improved charting for previously unmapped waters off Morobe, supporting safer shipping and trade. Legal & Governance: PNG completed its first Joint External Evaluation for health security, and a LAWASIA environmental law forum highlighted the need to strengthen court capacity for environmental disputes. Tourism & Local Business: The Malagan Festival returned to Kavieng after 30+ years, creating fresh opportunities for local producers, crafts and cultural tourism. Sports Sponsorships: Pepsi named Jerome Luai as brand ambassador under a five-year deal, while Trukai signed Cooper Bai for two years—both aimed at youth engagement and grassroots sport.

Energy & Investment: Papua New Guinea signed three landmark Papua LNG agreements with ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, setting a clear path to a Final Investment Decision by 15 December 2026, including a risk-sharing price stabilisation mechanism and a capped, temporary fiscal support package to protect the State’s long-term take. Power Sector: Prime Minister James Marape told Parliament PNG Power is in “terminal” condition after years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and weak revenue collection, with reforms now pushing provincial partnerships and partial privatisation. Agribusiness & Trade: The 70th PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival kicked off in Goroka with 40+ organisations, including SMEs, and support from the Department of International Trade and Investment. Law & Environment: A LAWASIA environmental law forum in Port Moresby focused on strengthening judicial capacity to handle environmental disputes properly. Governance & Peace Process: Parliament has started formal consideration of Bougainville’s 2019 referendum result, a major constitutional step after 25 years of the peace process. Transport & Logistics: Air Niugini handled a major Jacksons International Airport cargo operation for Ok Tedi, moving 84 tonnes of supplies—another reminder of how air freight underpins mining and supply chains. Telecoms & Digital: Telikom PNG and Vodafone PNG agreed to share network infrastructure, while Datec launched PNG’s “sovereign cloud and AI data centre” (Kumul Cloud Infinity). Business & Sports Sponsorships: Rugby league star Jarome Luai was unveiled as Pepsi PNG brand ambassador under a five-year partnership, and Trukai signed Cooper Bai as brand ambassador for two years. Infrastructure Debate: The Gurney Airport terminal upgrade in Milne Bay sparked debate over whether big projects should come before basic services like health and education.

Mining Logistics: Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby handled a major Air Niugini Boeing 747 freighter, moving 84 tonnes of dry weather supplies for Ok Tedi Mining—another reminder that air cargo keeps PNG’s mining and supply chains moving. El Niño Water Risk: Police Minister Sir John Pundari warned landowners not to profit from water shortages expected in 2026–27, urging communities to share access to privately run water sources as drought and rationing risks rise. Agriculture & Trade: PNG’s Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka is set to expand, with dozens of corporate and government exhibitors, while Agriculture Minister John Boito told APEC food security talks that PNG’s farm constraints—mechanisation, irrigation, storage, transport and cold chain—still limit export growth. Fresh Produce Push: NARI and IFPRI are running fresh produce value chain research to identify bottlenecks and policy options to move subsistence farming toward commercial supply. Telecom & Digital Infrastructure: Datec PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, PNG’s sovereign cloud and AI data centre, and Telikom PNG and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing deal to share towers and fibre. Land & Tourism: PM Marape urged Milne Bay landowners to keep customary land and use it for tourism and small business, with financing support via the National Development Bank for registered land groups. Business & Finance: Harmony Gold reported profit doubling on higher gold prices, with Hidden Valley in PNG producing 16% more gold. Governance & Security: NCD police unveiled a security strategy for Port Moresby aimed at supporting tourism and investment ahead of major international events. Aviation Infrastructure: Milne Bay’s upgraded Gurney Airport terminal opened, with ministers calling on communities to protect it as a long-term public asset.

Food Security & Trade: PNG’s Agriculture Minister John Boito told APEC in Hangzhou that agriculture is central to livelihoods and exports, but the sector still faces gaps in mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing, transport, cold chains and technology—despite agriculture making up only 11% of merchandise exports. Fresh Produce Push: NARI and IFPRI are running a fresh produce value-chain study to pinpoint inefficiencies and opportunities, with provincial findings feeding research and policy papers to boost domestic supply and export promotion. Cocoa & Palm Links: Indonesia is exploring deeper sustainable cocoa and palm value-chain cooperation with Malaysia and PNG, with small-farmer involvement central to any follow-up policies. Land & Tourism Finance: PM James Marape urged Milne Bay customary landowners not to sell land, register under ILGs, and use it for tourism and small business—backed by plans to help land groups access finance via the National Development Bank. Aviation Upgrade: Milne Bay’s upgraded Gurney Airport terminal has opened, with Civil Aviation Minister Douglas Tomuriesa calling on communities to protect it as a long-term public asset and work with airlines for more frequent, affordable flights. Digital Economy: Datec PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, a sovereign cloud and AI data centre in partnership with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma, while Telikom and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing pact to share towers and fibre. Governance & Risk: A report warns Pacific states, including PNG, could face costly investor-state disputes if deep-sea mining rules tighten—raising “chilling effect” concerns. Bougainville Watch: Parliament is set to debate whether to ratify Bougainville’s 2019 independence vote, a major political and economic turning point for PNG.

Telecom & Digital Finance: Telikom PNG has secured a Payment Service Provider Licence, clearing the way for its Telikom Financial Services digital wallet to launch nationwide, aiming to bring faster, phone-based money transfers to cash-reliant communities. Network Sharing: Telikom and Vodafone PNG signed a colocation and network-sharing deal covering towers and fibre, to be rolled out in phases. Cloud & AI Infrastructure: Datec PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, PNG’s sovereign cloud and AI data centre, built with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma. Public Safety & Elections: NCD police unveiled a new security strategy for Port Moresby ahead of major international events and the 2027 national general election, including targeted operations to improve order and road safety. Law & Education: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, updating the university’s legal framework. Mining & Governance Watch: A report warns Pacific governments could face investor-state claims if they tighten rules on deep-sea mining, with PNG named among exposed countries. Bougainville Mining Scrutiny: OCCRP reports Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama accepted a kidney-surgery cost offer before signing a Panguna mine deal, raising questions over process and partner selection. Tourism & Jobs: Air Niugini and PNG Tourism Promotion Authority showcased PNG at Singapore’s NATAS Travel Fair, while Milne Bay’s upgraded Gurney Airport is positioned as a tourism and small-business boost for landowners.

Election Security & Business Confidence: NCD Metropolitan Police unveiled a stronger Port Moresby security plan for the 2027 national general election, including quarterly major operations and a reminder that evictions are only enforced under lawful court orders. Telecom & Fintech Push: Telikom and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing deal to share towers and fibre, while Telikom received a Payment Service Provider licence to roll out nationwide digital wallet services. Sovereign Tech Investment: Datec PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, a sovereign cloud and AI data centre in partnership with Telikom and CloudSigma. Police Mobility Boost: Japan handed over 60 vehicles to the RPNGC under a K12.8m grant to improve patrol reach ahead of 2027. Higher Education Reform: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, replacing the 1997 act to modernise governance and autonomy. Mining & Governance Watch: A new OCCRP report alleges Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama accepted a kidney transplant offer and bypassed bidding in the Panguna mine deal with Lloyds Metals and Energy. Tourism & Local Jobs: Air Niugini and PNGTPA showcased PNG at Singapore’s NATAS Travel Fair, while Milne Bay’s upgraded Gurney Airport is framed as a tourism gateway that should translate into local income. Women’s Financial Skills: The RPNGC ran its first financial literacy training for women and police families, focusing on budgeting, saving and long-term planning.

Police Mobility Boost: Japan handed PNG police 60 Toyota Land Cruisers (K12.8m grant) to improve patrol reach and election-period safety. Mobile Money Push: Telikom won a Bank of Papua New Guinea Payment Service Provider Licence, clearing the way for nationwide digital wallet services via Telikom’s network. Telco Cost Cuts: Telikom and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing pact, including a “bill and keep” model to reduce cross-network call/text charges and extend coverage. Government Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in—David Teika Dennis (Finance & Treasury), Trevor Unusu (Police, National Security & Correctional Services) and Bunyan Sivoro (Culture & Tourism). Business & Trade: PNG’s Agriculture & Trade Festival (FSA) is set for 28 August, spotlighting coffee and primary industry with major sponsors; plus a new report says Pacific agricultural exports to Australia have more than tripled in five years. Climate Planning: PNG stakeholders endorsed the El Niño Agricultural Drought Plan of Action 2026-27, mapping preparedness, response and recovery roles. Local Support: K92 Mining backed the Goroka Lahanis Rugby League Club with K200,000 for youth development.