AGP Executive Report

Mining & climate response: Ok Tedi has committed K50 million to support Papua New Guinea’s El Niño drought relief and recovery. Agriculture & community support: Trukai Industries renewed long-running backing for the Morobe Provincial Agriculture Show with K133,100, and also renewed its PNG Game Fishing Association sponsorship with K50,000 for the Lae tournament. Health services upgrade: A new ultrasound scanner and medical equipment have arrived for ANC Kama Clinic in Eastern Highlands, aiming to improve maternal monitoring, early diagnosis and referrals. Transport infrastructure: Engineers have begun scoping work for sealing the Kokoda Highway (42km signing), with PNG and Australia planning a 50-50 cost share once final budgets are confirmed and a tender follows. Energy & industry governance: PNG CORE launched PNG Investment Week 2026 in Sydney (29 Nov–2 Dec), while WiRE highlighted how resources and energy leaders are moving GBV/FSV policies into workplace action. Trade & logistics costs: Maersk will add a peak-season surcharge on dry-container shipments from Southeast Asia to Oceania from 1 Nov 2026, including routes to PNG. Construction/industry investment pipeline: BSP donated 20 computers to Tabubil Secondary School to restore practical ICT learning. Regional business links: A new PNG–Fiji Business Council was launched to help SMEs find partners and enter each other’s markets. Media industry: PNG is set to bid to host the 9th PINA Media Summit in Port Moresby in 2028.

Police & Discipline: Prime Minister James Marape commissioned 54 new cadet officers, stressing lifelong duty, loyalty and discipline as they enter the Royal PNG Constabulary. Paint & Manufacturing Trade: AkzoNobel is nearing a deal to sell its Southeast Asia decorative paints business to Nippon Paint for more than $1bn, with PNG and Australia included. Sports Sponsorship & Tourism: Trukai Industries renewed its four-year sponsorship of the PNG Game Fishing Association, adding K50,000 for the Lae tournament and backing sports tourism. Media Industry: PNG secured three seats on the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) board and is pushing to host the 9th Pacific Media Summit in 2028. Infrastructure & Roads: Engineers are scoping the Kokoda Highway sealing; once budgets are confirmed, construction costs are set for a 50-50 split with Australia and a new tender will follow. Aviation Upgrade: Hoskins Airport upgrade hit 78% completion, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres as works continue toward late-2026. Agriculture & Drought Response: FPDA allocated K1m for water cartage and irrigation support to help farmers hit by El Niño drought. Climate Disaster: West New Britain is battling severe wildfires destroying coconut and oil palm plantations, with health and air-safety risks reported. Economy Outlook: BPNG lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% but warned 2027 could slow to around 2% as costs rise and El Niño bites agriculture and water supplies.

El Niño Disaster Response: West New Britain is reeling as wild bushfires rip through coconut and oil palm plantations, destroying gardens and threatening air operations near Hoskins Airport, with disaster officials calling the conditions unprecedented. Mining & Jobs: K92 Mining says it’s entering a new chapter at its Kainantu Gold Mine with a leadership transition, signalling continuity after a decade of growth. Roads & Construction: Engineers have begun scoping work for Kokoda Highway sealing, with PNG and Australia set to share construction costs 50-50 once the final budget is confirmed and a new tender follows. Aviation Upgrade: Hoskins Airport upgrade hits 78% completion, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres to improve safety and reliability for regional flights. Agriculture & Water: The Fresh Produce Development Agency has allocated K1 million for water-carting and irrigation support to help drought-hit farmers protect crops and livelihoods. SME & Trade Links: The PNG-Fiji Business Council launches to help small businesses find partners and enter new markets via a practical business database. Education & ICT: BSP delivers 20 computer upgrades for Tabubil Secondary School, restoring hands-on ICT learning with a K80,000 investment. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund pledges $25m for ocean protection including PNG, backing marine conservation across five Pacific nations.

Disaster & Agriculture: West New Britain is reeling from unprecedented El Niño bushfires, with flames sweeping Hoskins and destroying coconut palms, food gardens and oil palm plantations; thick smoke is also disrupting air operations near Hoskins Airport. Mining & Jobs: K92 Mining says it is entering a new chapter at its Kainantu Gold Mine, with a planned leadership transition. Infrastructure & Construction: Engineers have begun scoping work for sealing the 42km Kokoda Highway section, with PNG and Australia (TSSP phase three) set to share construction costs 50-50 once budgets are confirmed. Aviation Upgrade: Hoskins Airport upgrade is 78% complete, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres and further works targeting late-2026 completion. Economy Watch: BPNG lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% but warns 2027 may slow to around 2% as El Niño pressures agriculture and raises costs. SME & Trade Links: The PNG–Fiji Business Council has launched to help small businesses find partners and new markets via a shared industry database. Education & Skills: BSP donated 20 computers to Tabubil Secondary School to restore practical ICT learning. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund pledged $25m+ for ocean conservation across PNG and four other Pacific nations, supporting marine protection planning and protected-area expansion.

El Niño disaster response: West New Britain is reeling as wild bushfires rip through coconut and oil palm plantations near Hoskins, destroying gardens and threatening communities, wildlife, and even aircraft operations due to smoke and ash. Mining leadership shift: K92 Mining says it’s entering a new chapter at its Kainantu Gold Mine with a planned leadership transition in Eastern Highlands. Ocean conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing over $25m to ocean protection across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, backing marine protected areas and wider conservation plans. SME market access: The PNG–Fiji Business Council has launched to help small businesses find partners and new markets via a practical business database and networking. Transport infrastructure: Engineers are scoping the Kokoda Highway sealing, with a 50-50 cost-sharing plan between PNG and Australia once budgets are confirmed and a tender follows. Aviation upgrade: Hoskins Airport upgrade is 78% complete, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres as construction continues toward late-2026. Education and skills: BSP delivered 20 computers to Tabubil Secondary School to restore hands-on ICT learning, while ACIAR’s Meryl Williams Fellowship begins a new cohort of women leaders in agriculture and food systems. Tourism push: PNG is promoting its cultural and adventure attractions at Hong Kong’s travel expo, supported by Air Niugini’s direct flights.

Hoskins Airport Upgrade: National Airports Corporation says the K51.70m Hoskins runway works are 78% complete, with the strip extended to 1,580 metres after CASA PNG approval—aimed at improving safety and reliability for regional flights. Macroeconomy Watch: Bank of Papua New Guinea lifts its 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% on stronger resources, construction and services, but flags slower 2027 growth as costs rise and El Niño threatens agriculture, water and power. Roads & Procurement: Engineers have started scoping the 42km Kokoda Highway sealing in Northern; once budgets are confirmed, construction costs will be shared 50-50 with Australia and a new tender will follow under the National Procurement Act. SME & Regional Trade: The PNG-Fiji Business Council is launched to help small businesses find partners and markets, using a database approach rather than just conferences. Education & Skills: BSP delivers 20 computer lab machines to Tabubil Secondary School (K80,000 project) and IHG PNG signs an MoU with Caritas Technical Secondary School to build hospitality career pathways. Food Security Response: FPDA allocates K1m for water cartage and irrigation support to drought-hit farmers nationwide. Pacific Media: PNG bids to host the 9th Pacific Islands News Association Media Summit in Port Moresby in 2028.

SME Market Access: The newly launched PNG–Fiji Business Council is set to help small businesses in both countries find partners and enter new markets, using a shared database approach rather than more conferences. Roads & Procurement: Engineers have begun scoping work for sealing the 42km Kokoda Highway signing, with PNG and Australia’s Transport Sector Support Programme backing a 50-50 construction cost split once budgets are confirmed and a new tender is expected. Education & Skills: BSP’s 50for50 GivimBek initiative delivered 20 computer workstations and a local network to Tabubil Secondary School, restoring practical ICT learning. Food Security Response: The Fresh Produce Development Agency has allocated K1 million for water cartage and irrigation rollout to help farmers cope with El Niño-linked drought and protect crop seedlings. Banking Outlook: The Bank of Papua New Guinea lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% but warned 2027 could soften to around 2% as costs rise and dry conditions threaten agriculture and water. Infrastructure Progress: Hoskins Airport upgrade is 78% complete, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres as construction moves toward late-2026 completion. Marine Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new ocean conservation grants including Papua New Guinea, aimed at protecting large marine areas across five Pacific nations. Tourism Push: PNG is promoting cultural and adventure tourism at Hong Kong’s Holiday & Travel Expo, supported by Air Niugini’s direct flights.

Infrastructure & Construction: Hoskins Airport upgrade hits 78% completion in West New Britain, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres after CASA PNG approvals—aimed at safer, more reliable regional air services. Macroeconomy: The Bank of Papua New Guinea lifts its 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% but flags softer 2027 conditions, higher costs and El Niño risks to agriculture, water and power. Energy & Engineering: Australia expands its PNG infrastructure pipeline, with more than A$250m a year in investment and procurement moving across power, telecoms, health and professional services. Agribusiness & Community Events: Trukai renews four-year sponsorship of the PNG Game Fishing Association and backs the Morobe Provincial Agriculture Show for 40 years, reinforcing sports tourism and farmer-focused industry support. Innovation & Research: A PNG science conference spotlights local innovators, including a researcher winning Innovator of the Year for a local stockfeed formulation. Digital Services: Lae City Authority launches an online land tax payment platform via NiuPay to reduce cash handling and office queues. Diplomacy & Trade: PM Marape urges US firms to shift PNG ties from aid to trade as PNG expands commercial partnerships. Environment & Oceans: Bezos Earth Fund announces $25m+ in ocean conservation grants for PNG and other Pacific nations, targeting large marine protection areas.

Infrastructure Pipeline: Australia is ramping up PNG infrastructure spending to A$250m+ a year, with ESIP2 and other power, telecoms, health and advisory work moving through procurement—plus skills support to build local delivery capacity. Aviation Upgrade: Hoskins Airport is at 78% completion, with the runway extended to 1,580 metres after CASA PNG approval; Stage 11 started 27 Sept, targeting late-2026 completion. Macroeconomy: BPNG lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% on stronger resources, construction and services, but warns 2027 may soften to around 2% amid rising costs and El Niño risks. Marine Conservation & Industry: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new Pacific ocean grants including PNG, aimed at creating large offshore marine protection and sustainable water management. Digital Services: Lae City Authority launched ServiceLink with NiuPay so residents and businesses can pay land taxes online, reducing cash handling and office congestion. Trade & Skills: IHG PNG partnered with Caritas to train young Papua New Guineans for hospitality careers. Education Links: Indonesian universities are in Port Moresby promoting courses and scholarships, including agriculture and STEM/vocational pathways. Agribusiness Pressure: Coffee exports via Lae are stalled during peak season, threatening income for Highlands growers and the wider supply chain. Resource Governance: A governor warns PNG and Melanesia risk losing control of resources to foreign interests unless colonial-era laws are updated. Energy & Climate Risk: El Niño-driven drought and frost are already damaging PNG crops, with knock-on food security concerns.

Innovation & Agribusiness: University of Goroka researcher Kathleen Diapong won Innovator of the Year at PNG’s 8th Research, Science and Technology Conference for a Local Stockfeed Formulation, with other category winners spanning hybrid solar, apps for road reporting and language, home automation, and a “Peri Oil” treatment project. Tourism & Aviation: PNG showcased cultural, nature and adventure attractions at the Hong Kong Holiday & Travel Expo, backed by Air Niugini’s direct flights to Hong Kong to drive visitor links. Hospitality Skills Pipeline: IHG PNG signed an MoU with Caritas Technical Secondary School to train young Papua New Guineans for hospitality career pathways. Digital Government Services: Lae City Authority launched ServiceLink with NiuPay, letting residents and businesses pay land taxes online and easing cash and queue pressures. Resource Governance: Oro Governor Garry Juffa warned outdated colonial-era resource laws could leave landowners exposed, calling for reforms to restore control and benefits. Energy & Investment Signals: TotalEnergies flagged growth beyond 2030 with Namibia and Papua New Guinea in its portfolio, while also moving ahead on Absheron’s full-field gas development. Climate Risk to Food: Reports say El Niño-linked drought and severe frosts have damaged Highlands crops, threatening food supplies and incomes. Sports Sponsorship: Trukai renewed sponsorship of the Game Fishing Association PNG National Titles with K50,000 annually for four years. Business-to-Trade Push: PM Marape urged US firms to shift PNG ties from aid to trade, pitching incentives and major resource projects.

China-PNG Trade Push: PNG marked 50 years of ties with China in Beijing, with both sides pointing to China as PNG’s biggest trading partner and major engineering contracting market. US-Linked Investment Drive: PM James Marape urged American firms to shift from aid to trade, pitching PNG’s resource projects and incentives during UNGA week in New York. Hospitality Jobs Pipeline: IHG PNG signed an MoU with Caritas Technical Secondary School to train young Papua New Guineans for hospitality careers. Land Tax Goes Digital (Lae): Lae City Authority launched ServiceLink with NiuPay, letting residents and businesses pay land taxes online and reducing cash handling at municipal offices. Resource Rights Warning: Oro Governor Garry Juffa warned colonial-era resource laws can leave landowners exposed in mining and logging decisions, calling for reform. Energy & LNG Context: TotalEnergies flagged growth beyond 2030, naming Papua New Guinea among portfolio countries, while also moving ahead with Absheron in Azerbaijan. Cocoa Export Boost: PNG’s cocoa industry generated over K1.8b in export earnings last year, with a push to reach K2b. Coffee Supply Disruption: Highlands coffee exports to Lae are stalled during peak season, threatening incomes across the supply chain. Fuel Subsidy Review: Government is considering extending fuel subsidies into next year as global prices stay high. Sports Sponsorship: Trukai renewed K50,000 annual sponsorship for the PNG game fishing national titles in Lae. Diplomacy in Europe: PNG and Montenegro established formal diplomatic relations, targeting cooperation in tourism, renewables, agriculture and digital innovation. Climate Stress on Food: El Niño-linked frosts are damaging crops in PNG, with knock-on food security risks.

Sports Sponsorship: Trukai Industries renews sponsorship of the Game Fishing Association PNG National Titles for four more years, pledging K50,000 annually for the 50th event in Lae (March 20–28), with PNG Ports Corporation and Islands Petroleum also backing the tournament. Municipal Digital Services: Lae City Authority launches ServiceLink with fintech partner NiuPay, letting residents and businesses pay land taxes online by linking property records and settling bills remotely, aiming to cut cash handling and office congestion. Agribusiness Disruption: Coffee exports from the Highlands face delays as movement to Lae for container packing and export clearances stalls during peak season, risking knock-on impacts for growers, exporters, transport and storage. Energy & Investment Signals: TotalEnergies outlines a growth push—up to $17bn a year in capex, 4% annual energy production growth through 2030, and higher buybacks/dividends—while Absheron’s full-field FID is confirmed and Venus timing in Namibia remains unresolved. Resource Governance: Oro Governor Gary Juffa warns PNG and Solomon Islands risk losing control of natural resources unless colonial-era laws are reformed to strengthen customary landowners’ power over mining and forestry decisions. Climate Risk to Food Security: Severe El Niño-linked frosts are damaging PNG crops, and the same frost threat is rising for Australian farmers, with taro, sweet potato, bananas and sugarcane among reported losses. Cocoa Economy: PNG’s cocoa sector generated over K1.8bn in export earnings last year (about 61,000 tonnes), with government targeting growth beyond K2bn through a 2026–2035 strategic plan. TVET & Skills: Australia delivers construction tools and equipment to West New Britain Technical College to boost practical training for careers across construction, agriculture, fisheries, cocoa and oil palm.

NRL Commercial Boost: PNG Chiefs lock in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners as a Premier Partner on a multi-year deal, with Coca-Cola branding on jerseys and exclusive non-alcoholic ready-to-drink rights ahead of the 2028 season. Energy & Investment Signals: TotalEnergies backs the Absheron gas project with a final investment decision, while keeping Namibia’s Venus oil timing unresolved—meanwhile the group maps higher dividends, buybacks and up to $17bn a year in capex through 2032. Lae Digital Payments: Lae City Authority launches ServiceLink with NiuPay so residents and businesses can register and pay land taxes online, aiming to cut cash handling and office congestion. Coffee Export Disruption: Highlands coffee shipments to Lae are stalled during peak season, risking knock-on delays for exporters, transport and growers. ICT Skills for Industry: Divine Word University students showcase practical information systems projects, pushing digital transformation that doesn’t leave less-connected communities behind. Cocoa Revenue Push: PNG’s cocoa sector tops K1.8bn in export earnings from 61,000 tonnes, with government targeting K2bn and longer-term jobs growth. Mining Jobs: K92 Mining advertises a Heavy Equipment Operator role for its Kainantu gold operations, supporting exploration drilling in rugged terrain. Pacific Media & Policy: PNG will host the 2028 Pacific Media Summit as PINA strengthens self-regulation and fact-checking priorities for the region.

Energy & Capital Returns: TotalEnergies is boosting shareholder buybacks to $2.5bn for Q4 2026 (from $1.5bn) and plans $2bn–$2.5bn in Q1 2027, alongside dividend growth of more than 5% a year through 2030, while targeting oil and gas output growth of 2%–3% annually in 2030–35, with Papua New Guinea among its project base. Banking Skills: Westpac Pacific’s Future Banker Development Series is training emerging banking professionals across Fiji and Papua New Guinea, with a six-month program focused on customer skills and workplace effectiveness. TVET for Industry: Australia-backed equipment delivery to West New Britain Technical College aims to lift practical training for construction, agriculture, fisheries, cocoa and oil palm—feeding PNG’s demand for skilled workers. Cocoa Jobs Push: PNG’s cocoa sector hit K1.8bn+ in export earnings in 2025 (61,000 tonnes) and the 2026–2035 Cocoa Industry Strategic Plan targets export growth and up to one million jobs via downstream processing and value chains. Diplomacy for Investment: PM James Marape used UNGA week to urge US businesses to shift from aid to trade, seeking more investment and defence cooperation implementation. Infrastructure & Defence: Australia and PNG are upgrading Moem Barracks in Wewak, improving water and sewer systems and creating local jobs under the Defence Cooperation Program. Media & Governance: PNG will host the 2028 Pacific Media Summit, with PINA leadership stressing self-regulation and readiness ahead of upcoming elections. Risk & Social Stability: A report examines whether drought-linked hardship could be a trigger for sorcery accusation-related violence as El Niño conditions intensify.

Energy & Investment: TotalEnergies says it will lift fourth-quarter share buybacks to $2.5bn, raise dividends by more than 5% annually through 2030, and expects oil and gas output growth of 2–3% a year to 2030–35, with projects including Papua New Guinea. Labour Mobility: PNG’s PALM scheme keeps expanding, with 2,700+ workers in Australia (to July 2026) and estimated K236m remitted to families and communities between 2022 and 2025. Infrastructure & Jobs: Australia-PNG Defence cooperation is upgrading Moem Barracks in Wewak with new water and sewer systems, creating local jobs and training. Cocoa Industry Push: PNG generated over K1.8bn in cocoa export revenue in 2025 and targets K2bn, while a 2026–2035 cocoa plan aims to unlock downstream processing and up to one million jobs. Bougainville Value-Add: The Bougainville Chocolate Festival closed with calls to move beyond raw bean exports into local chocolate and cocoa powder production. Forestry Enforcement: Regional lawmakers and PNG leaders at the Asia Pacific Forests Crime Network urged tougher action against illegal logging networks, citing major gaps in PNG log export tracking. Tourism & Culture: PNG showcased traditional performances at the Hong Kong Travel Expo, with Air Niugini and the tourism authority promoting culture and eco-tourism. Construction Skills: Madang’s Northern Coastal Highway repairs are boosting local employment and women’s participation, with safety and environmental training built in. Media & Industry Skills: Westpac Pacific launched its Future Banker program for emerging banking staff in Fiji and PNG.

Cocoa Jobs Push: PNG’s Cocoa Board is driving a 10-year Cocoa Industry Strategic Plan (2026–2035) aimed at unlocking cocoa, coffee, palm oil and copra value, with a target of up to one million jobs through downstream processing and modern value chains. Bougainville “Farm-to-Bar”: The 10th Bougainville Chocolate Festival closed with a push for farmers, youth and SMEs to build a local farm-to-bar industry beyond exporting raw beans. Mining Deal: Lingbao Gold Group has agreed to buy St Barbara’s remaining interest in Tabar Islands Holdings, moving toward full ownership of New Simberi; completion is targeted for March 2027. Construction Skills & Women: Madang’s Northern Coastal Highway repairs (41.2km) are creating local jobs and boosting women’s participation, with safety and environmental training for contractors. Consumer Protection & Competition: PNG’s draft Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2026 is set to modernise fair trading and strengthen enforcement as e-commerce grows. Maritime Safety Call: World Maritime Day in PNG urged the sector to turn policy and international standards into practical safety, skills and implementation. High Seas Treaty: PNG has ratified the High Seas Treaty, adding to momentum for biodiversity protection beyond national waters. Climate Pressure at UNGA: Marape and Solomon Islands leaders demanded real emissions cuts as sea-level rise hits now, not later.