AGP Executive Report

El Niño and wildfire crisis: West New Britain is facing fast-moving bushfires that have burned about 10 hectares of coconut palms near Hoskins Airport, parching landscapes, choking communities with smoke and ash, and threatening wildlife, farms and aircraft operations. Climate diplomacy at Pre-COP31: PNG’s Environment and Climate Change Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael says Pacific leaders will not accept a weak climate deal, warning negotiators must link the “just transition” to real finance. Ocean protection funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than $25 million for ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu—supporting projects meant to protect over 625,000 square miles of sea and expand marine protection, including work toward PNG’s first large offshore marine protected area. Rangers unite across borders: Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) rangers and PNG South Fly Rangers held a knowledge exchange under the Torres Strait Treaty, sharing traditional ecological knowledge and tackling shared priorities like climate impacts, food and water security, and dugong and turtle management. Food security water support: PNG’s Fresh Produce Development Agency has allocated K1 million for water cartage and irrigation rollout to help farmers survive drought and protect crop seedlings. Health and malaria research: PNG and Japan launched a five-year joint research project to strengthen malaria prevention, detection and response, with field work focused on East Sepik. Wildlife and biodiversity research: New research on fish evolution in Australia and New Guinea points to environmental factors like sea-level change and low marine oxygen as key drivers of freshwater diversification.

El Niño Fire Crisis in West New Britain: Severe El Niño conditions are driving fast-moving wildfires through coconut and oil palm plantations in Hoskins, destroying vegetation and food gardens, choking communities with smoke and ash, and threatening wildlife, ecosystems and even aircraft operations. Cross-Border Ranger Cooperation: Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) rangers and PNG’s South Fly Rangers held a three-day knowledge exchange under the Torres Strait Treaty, sharing traditional ecological knowledge and western science to strengthen land and sea conservation, including dugong and turtle management, amid climate and food-water pressures. Pacific Climate Diplomacy at Pre-COP31: PNG’s Environment and Climate Change Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael says Pre-COP31 will be a disappointment unless ministers in Nadi and Tuvalu push for stronger action, warning “no decision is better than a weak decision” and linking just transition to real finance. Ocean Conservation Funding for PNG: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M in new ocean grants across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, including support for PNG’s first large offshore marine protected area and broader efforts to protect connected marine habitats. Water Rescue for Farmers: PNG’s Fresh Produce Development Agency released K1 million for water cartage and irrigation rollouts to help drought-hit farmers keep crops alive and protect food security. Health and Malaria Research: PNG and Japan launched a five-year project to eliminate malaria, with field work focused on East Sepik and support in Madang and Port Moresby to strengthen prevention, detection and response. Community-Led Innovation Spotlight: At a PNG science conference in Goroka, University of Natural Resources and Environment researcher Kathleen Diapong won Innovator of the Year for a local stockfeed formulation, highlighting practical solutions for sustainable livelihoods.

Wildfire & El Niño impacts: West New Britain is reeling as severe El Niño drives fast-moving bushfires through coconut and oil palm areas near Hoskins, destroying vegetation and food gardens, choking communities with smoke and ash, and threatening wildlife and air operations. Water for farmers: The Fresh Produce Development Agency has put K1 million into emergency water cartage and irrigation support to help drought-hit farmers keep crops alive and protect seedlings. Ocean conservation funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M+ in new ocean grants for the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—aimed at protecting 625,000+ square miles of ocean and supporting PNG’s first large offshore marine protected area. Health & malaria research: PNG and Japan launched a five-year joint project to eliminate malaria, with field work starting in East Sepik and complementary studies in Madang and Port Moresby. Biodiversity & science: New research on fish evolution in Australia and New Guinea points to environmental factors like sea-level change and low-oxygen conditions shaping freshwater diversity. Community learning: Grade 6 students from Central Province visited UPNG and nature sites to see pathways into higher education. Local innovation: A PNG researcher won Innovator of the Year at the national science conference for a local stockfeed formulation.

New Research on Fish Evolution: A multi-institution team led by Western Michigan University says freshwater fish diversification in Australia and New Guinea was driven more by environmental shifts like sea-level change and lower marine oxygen than by “first colonizers” having an edge. Drought Response for Farmers: PNG’s Fresh Produce Development Agency set aside K1 million for water cartage and irrigation support to help farmers hit by El Niño-linked drought. Malaria Elimination Push: PNG and Japan launched a five-year joint research project to strengthen health systems and speed progress toward total malaria elimination, with field work in East Sepik plus Madang and Port Moresby. Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M in new ocean conservation grants for Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu—aimed at protecting 625,000+ square miles and supporting PNG’s first large offshore marine protected area. Climate Risk and Food Security: Reports warn El Niño conditions are bringing severe frosts that have destroyed crops in PNG’s highlands, echoing past crises and raising food-supply alarms. Local Leadership in Science: A PNG researcher won Innovator of the Year at the national science conference for a local stockfeed formulation, highlighting homegrown solutions for sustainable livelihoods.

El Niño hit PNG food systems: Severe frosts linked to El Niño have destroyed crops in PNG’s highlands, wiping out taro, sweet potato, bananas and sugarcane and leaving communities scrambling for food and water. Drought response for farmers: The Fresh Produce Development Agency has set aside K1 million for water cartage and an irrigation rollout to help farmers through peak drought. Health and environment overlap: PNG and Japan launched a five-year joint research project to strengthen health systems and eliminate malaria, with field work focused on East Sepik. Ocean protection push: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M in new ocean conservation grants for Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu—supporting protection across 625,000+ square miles and helping PNG plan its first large offshore marine protected area. Climate resilience in the Pacific: Pacific weather services face a funding gap as the region plans a decade-long overhaul to improve local forecasting and warnings. Governance and accountability: PNG’s CEPA chief lodged a police complaint after social media death allegations, denying involvement and urging investigation. Innovation spotlight: A PNG researcher won Innovator of the Year at the Goroka science conference for a local stockfeed formulation.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has announced $25M+ in new ocean conservation grants across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to support protection of more than 625,000 square miles and help Pacific nations work toward protecting 30% of waters by 2030, including PNG’s first large offshore marine protected area and high-seas protection planning under the UN High Seas Treaty. Climate Pressure in the Region: Pacific leaders at UNGA renewed calls for stronger climate action, warning that impacts are already existential and urging faster international support. El Niño Fallout for Food Security: Reports highlight severe frosts and drought risk tied to El Niño, with PNG communities already facing crop losses and researchers flagging how worsening conditions can deepen social tensions. PNG Governance & Environment: PNG’s Environment Authority chief denies death allegations and seeks a police probe, while CEPA’s managing director lodges a cybercrime complaint over online claims. Local Innovation Spotlight: A PNG science conference named University of Natural Resources and Environment researcher Kathleen Diapong Innovator of the Year for a local stockfeed formulation, alongside other environment-linked projects.

Diplomacy & Environment: Australia has appointed DFAT senior official Jamie Isbister as its next High Commissioner to PNG, with his background in Pacific infrastructure and development policy likely to shape how projects land on the ground. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new grants for ocean conservation across five Pacific nations, including PNG, to help protect large marine areas and plan longer-term water management. Marine Protection: Norway created a new Andfjorden Marine Protected Area, a reminder of how biodiversity-rich waters can be protected while still supporting fisheries. Climate Risk for Food: El Niño-linked drought and severe frosts are already damaging PNG crops, and the same frost threat is rising for farmers across the region. Local Innovation: A PNG researcher won Innovator of the Year at the Goroka science conference for a local stockfeed formulation, alongside awards for solar power and practical apps. Forestry Enforcement Push: PNG and Solomon Islands are in focus at the Asia Pacific Forestry Crime Network meeting, with calls to close gaps in monitoring and regulation of illegal logging. Gender & Climate Governance: New research highlights that excluding women from water and climate decision-making drives wider impacts—especially at community levels. Health in Remote PNG: Three premature babies died in Markham after limited local neonatal care, underscoring the need for faster emergency maternal and newborn support.

Climate & Food Security: El Niño-linked drought and severe frosts are damaging PNG highland crops, with taro, sweet potato, bananas and sugarcane hit—raising fears of repeat food and water shortages. Disaster Risk & Adaptation: PNG’s multi-peril parametric climate insurance triggered an automatic second payout of PGK 621,220 to 15,295 people across 14 drought-affected districts, giving fast support without on-the-ground claims. Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund grants of $25m are backing “Blue Pacific” ocean protection across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to sustainably manage waters and protect at least 30% by 2030. Climate Messaging at UNGA: Pacific leaders, including PNG PM James Marape, urged stronger climate action and peace—warning the world must act for children and future generations. Forestry Crime Crackdown: Regional lawmakers and regulators met in Cairns to push enforcement against illegal logging networks, with PNG’s timber tracking gaps flagged as a major problem. Health in Remote PNG: Three premature babies died in Markham after delayed access to specialised neonatal care, highlighting gaps in emergency maternal and newborn services. Governance & Environment: PNG CEPA chief Jude Tukuliya denies social media death allegations and asks police to investigate, warning against unverified claims.

UNGA Climate Push: Prime Minister James Marape returned from the UN General Assembly urging the world to put humanity and peace first, while Pacific leaders pressed for faster climate action and warned the impacts are already here. Blue Ocean Protection: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect more than 625,000 sq miles of ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to safeguard at least 30% of waters by 2030. Drought Relief via Insurance: PNG’s multi-peril parametric climate insurance triggered a second automatic payout, sending PGK 621,220 to 15,295 people across 14 drought-affected districts. El Niño Food Risk: Reports warn El Niño-linked heat and drought could bring severe frosts that destroy crops in PNG and raise frost risk for farmers across the region. Forest Crime Crackdown: The Asia Pacific Forestry Crime Network met in Cairns to tackle illegal logging, with PNG’s timber tracking gaps highlighted. Local Skills & Livelihoods: IHG PNG partnered with Caritas to train young Papua New Guineans for hospitality careers, while a bamboo workshop promoted sustainable livelihoods. Remote Health Challenge: Three premature babies died in Markham District after delayed access to specialized neonatal care, spotlighting gaps in emergency maternal services.

Climate at UNGA: Pacific leaders, including PNG PM James Marape, pushed a blunt message at the UN General Assembly: climate change is existential, and humanity must come before war. El Niño impacts: A new warning links El Niño-driven heat, drought and frost to crop losses in PNG’s highlands, with taro, sweet potato, bananas and sugarcane among the hardest hit—raising food stress risks across the region. Drought and safety: Researchers say drought-linked hardship can act as triggers for sorcery accusation-related violence in PNG, with sickness and death already driving most cases. Insurance for adaptation: PNG’s multi-peril parametric climate insurance has made a second automatic payout—PGK 621,220 to 15,295 people in drought-affected districts—so families don’t wait for claims. Ocean and fisheries: Pacific nations called for stronger international support at a fisheries summit, stressing youth jobs, value-adding and tackling illegal fishing. Forests enforcement: PNG and regional partners met under the Asia Pacific Forestry Crime Network to crack down on illegal logging, with calls to fix monitoring gaps. Media and resilience: Pacific media leaders warned that AI and misinformation are eroding public trust, urging stronger media literacy and newsroom safeguards.

Climate & Safety: Researchers warn drought and drier-than-normal conditions could act as triggers for sorcery accusation-related violence in PNG, after a Simbu case linked poor harvests and sick pigs to fast-spreading rumours. Drought Adaptation: PNG’s multi-peril parametric climate insurance has made a second automatic payout, sending PGK 621,220 to 15,295 people in 14 drought-affected districts, with support channelled through Mama Bank. Forest Crime Crackdown: The Asia Pacific Forestry Crime Network met in Cairns to push enforcement against illegal logging, with PNG Governor Gary Juffa flagging major monitoring gaps, including PNG’s inability to see its own log exports for over 30 months. Women, Water & Climate: Pacific research highlights that excluding women from water and climate decision-making drives wider gendered impacts, with PNG included among the voices calling for stronger inclusion ahead of COP31. Marine Protection (Global): Norway announced a new Andfjorden Marine Protected Area to safeguard whales, seabirds and diverse habitats—an example of nature protection paired with managed use. Community Resilience via Media: PNG’s national broadcaster returned to the airwaves in Daru after years off, using relay links to restore coverage for remote border communities. Jobs & Skills: Madang’s Northern Coastal Highway repairs are creating local work and boosting women’s participation, alongside environmental management and safety training. Biodiversity Research (Global): A new study argues gentoo penguins are four separate species, with habitat loss risks for three—raising the stakes for conservation planning.

Climate & Disaster Risk: PNG’s drought-linked multi-peril parametric climate insurance has triggered its second automatic payout, sending PGK 621,220 to 15,295 people in 14 districts after rainfall fell below agreed thresholds, with support routed through Mama Bank and PICAP partners. El Niño & Safety: A new PNG-focused look at sorcery accusation-related violence asks whether drought and crop or livestock losses can act as triggers ahead of a likely drier-than-normal El Niño season. Forest Crime Crackdown: The Asia Pacific Forestry Crime Network’s third meeting in Cairns pushed for stronger enforcement against illegal logging in PNG and Solomon Islands, with Oro Governor Gary Juffa warning PNG has lacked visibility of its own log exports for more than 30 months. Loss & Damage Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding timely, transparent access to climate loss and damage information and stronger government accountability. Water & Gender Justice: Research highlighted how excluding women from water decision-making drives wider climate impacts, with PNG included among voices calling for gender-just climate and water action. Cocoa Jobs Push: PNG’s Cocoa Board unveiled a 10-year cocoa industry plan aiming to unlock rural jobs and expand processing, targeting up to one million jobs.

Gender & Water: Pacific advocates say women are being shut out of water and climate decisions, with research urging stronger voice for women at community and subnational levels. Climate Risk Finance: PNG’s drought triggered a second automatic payout under a multi-peril parametric insurance scheme, sending PGK 621,220 to 15,295 people in 14 districts. Forest Crime Crackdown: Regional lawmakers and regulators met in Cairns to push enforcement against illegal logging networks, with PNG officials warning of major gaps in log export tracking. Loss & Damage Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted a Savusavu declaration demanding better access to climate loss and damage information and more government accountability. Ocean Protection: PNG deposited its ratification of the BBNJ treaty, strengthening its role in protecting marine biodiversity beyond national waters. Cocoa Jobs Push: PNG’s Cocoa Board unveiled a 10-year plan aiming to grow rural jobs and expand processing. Durable Housing: NiuHomes promotes building kits designed for PNG’s heat and heavy rain, targeting longer-lasting homes and facilities.

Climate Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies share timely, transparent climate loss and damage information and answer public questions. Flood Protection for Girls: Save the Children says protection measures for girls must be intensified across flood-affected areas after devastating floods, as displacement, unsafe communal spaces, and weak lighting raise trafficking and violence risks. Women, Water, Climate Justice: Pacific women’s rights groups and partners call for stronger links between gender equality, climate justice and water security ahead of pre-COP31 meetings, warning that El Niño is worsening water stress. Road Resilience & Jobs: Madang’s Northern Coastal Highway repairs are creating local jobs and boosting women’s participation in construction, with upgrades aimed at withstanding severe tropical downpours. Ocean Protection: PNG has deposited its ratification of the BBNJ marine biodiversity agreement, strengthening its role in protecting ocean life beyond national waters. High Seas Treaty Momentum: The High Seas Treaty reached 100 parties after PNG and others ratified, moving toward January 2027 rules for protecting biodiversity in international waters. Mining & Ownership: Lingbao Gold agreed to buy St Barbara’s remaining interest in Tabar Islands Holdings, moving toward full ownership of the New Simberi operation. Community Health Access: Katim Tasol’s telemedicine-linked rural healthcare model is expanding second-opinion support for remote PNG health workers. Food Prices Under Drought: Reports highlight how drought-linked supply shortfalls are pushing up betel nut prices, adding to household cost-of-living pressure.

Road resilience & jobs: Madang’s Northern Coastal Highway repairs (41.2km) are finished under the PNG–Australia Partnership, creating local work and boosting women’s roles in construction; the PGK10m project restored damaged sections and bridge approaches, with training that included workplace safety, environmental management and social safeguards. Climate pressure at UNGA: PNG and Solomon Islands leaders used UN General Assembly talks to demand real emissions cuts, calling out “empty promises” as sea-level rise becomes a present threat. Ocean protection push: PNG deposited its ratification of the UN High Seas biodiversity treaty, joining the growing coalition that now totals 100 parties—setting the stage for marine protected areas and stronger environmental impact rules. Blue Pacific safety warning: A regional climatologist links recent Pacific maritime tragedies to rough weather during El Niño conditions, urging extra caution from boat operators. Health access via telemedicine: Katim Tasol’s “Lighthouse” model in Morobe is expanding rural primary care using telemedicine, infrastructure and ongoing training. Conservation funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants for tropical Pacific conservation, including support for early marine protected area proposals under the High Seas Treaty.

Climate Action at UNGA: PNG PM James Marape and Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale used UN General Assembly talks to demand “stop empty promises” and real carbon cuts, warning sea-level rise is already here. High Seas Protection: PNG formally deposited its ratification of the UN BBNJ marine biodiversity treaty, joining a growing push for rules beyond national waters as the High Seas Treaty hit 100 parties. Blue Pacific Safety: A regional climatologist urged extra caution for boat operators amid El Niño-linked rougher conditions, after recent maritime tragedies across the Pacific. Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund pledged US$25m more for tropical Pacific conservation, including support for early marine protected area proposals under the High Seas Treaty. Local Resilience & Knowledge: A USP seminar highlighted that adaptation in PNG and the Pacific depends on history, governance, livelihoods and Indigenous knowledge—not just technical fixes. Maritime Sector Call: PNG’s maritime industry was urged to move from policy to practice on safety and skills. Community Health via Tech: Katim Tasol’s telemedicine “Lighthouse model” is expanding second-opinion primary care for remote villages in Morobe. Land & Wildlife Protection: 266 Indigenous leaders signed a legal deed to protect land, clans and tree kangaroos. Media Integrity: New PINA leadership in Savusavu flagged fact-checking and verification as priorities for Pacific journalism.