AGP Executive Report

Forest & Climate Governance: The PNG Forest Authority received EU-funded communication and video-conferencing upgrades to improve coordination across 22 provincial offices, cut operating costs, and strengthen sustainable forest management. Mining & Water Impacts: Ok Tedi submitted its ESIA for a major Tailings Storage Facility at Ok Birim, aiming to reduce downstream impacts from riverine tailings disposal. Biodiversity Discovery: Scientists report a new walking shark species from Papua New Guinea reefs, adding to the small but important group of “walking” sharks. Climate Risk: PNG’s weather bureau officially declared El Niño active, warning of likely shifts in rainfall and heightened drought and water-stress risks. Food & Land Value: Three Sepik agricultural products—Misim Vanilla, Torricelli Vanilla, and Yuat River Cocoa—cleared GI validation steps, boosting prospects for premium export branding. Connectivity for Learning: Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province installed Starlink high-speed internet to improve access to online learning resources. Health & Safety Systems: PNG and Australia renewed efforts to reduce snakebite deaths by strengthening national antivenom supply and frontline treatment capacity. Trade & Measurement: Australia donated fuel measurement equipment to PNG and other Pacific nations to help regulators verify pump accuracy and protect consumers.

El Niño Watch: Papua New Guinea’s weather bureau has officially declared El Niño active, warning of likely shifts that can bring drought, water stress and harsher conditions for communities. Snakebite Care: PNG and Australia renewed efforts to cut snakebite deaths by strengthening the national health system and expanding antivenom access to high-risk provinces. Mining & Water Impacts: Ok Tedi submitted its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for a new Tailings Storage Facility, aiming to reduce downstream impacts from riverine tailings. Biodiversity Discovery: A new walking shark species was identified from Milne Bay reefs, adding to PNG’s marine wildlife knowledge. Wildlife Health Risk: A deep-sea mining campaign warned that radioactive material could enter the marine food chain if seabed minerals are disturbed. Food & Trade Resilience: Sepik cocoa and vanilla products advanced toward international Geographical Indication status, supporting higher-value exports. Connectivity for Learning: Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province got high-speed internet via Starlink, improving access to education resources. Election Integrity Prep: The Electoral Commission and police continued election security planning ahead of 2027.

Connectivity for learning: Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province has its first high-speed internet via a Starlink satellite link, with managed, filtered access and a monthly data allowance to support teaching and school administration. Election security push: PNG’s 2027 election preparations get a boost with the appointment of Dr Nicole Haley as Electoral Commissioner, alongside a three-day E-Peace workshop bringing the Electoral Commission and police together to close coordination gaps. Climate risk in focus: The weather bureau has declared El Niño active, warning PNG could face drought, water shortages and frosts, with impacts expected to ripple into food supplies. Mining and the environment: Ok Tedi submits its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for a new Tailings Storage Facility to cut downstream impacts from riverine tailings disposal. Marine life discovery: A new walking shark species has been identified in Papua New Guinea, adding to the country’s biodiversity spotlight. Food and farming resilience: A World Bank report urges PNG to expand agri-food incomes and jobs by lifting farm productivity and strengthening value chains, while ACIAR backs climate-resilient research investments. Food safety in the city: NCDC runs a food safety workshop in Port Moresby, stressing food safety as a shared responsibility between regulators and businesses. Teacher housing strain: Tubusereia Junior High School says teacher accommodation remains the biggest barrier, affecting attendance and learning.

Tailings Safety Push: Ok Tedi has submitted its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for a new Tailings Storage Facility at Ok Birim, aiming to cut downstream impacts from riverine tailings and support its Growth 2050 plan. Climate Watch: PNG’s weather bureau has officially declared El Niño active, raising familiar risks for drought, water stress and frosts, with impacts expected to ripple into food supplies. Food & Farming Exports: Sepik cocoa and vanilla products have advanced toward international market value after three goods won validated Geographical Indications status, opening doors for stronger branding and higher returns for farmers. Conservation & Indigenous Leadership: Pacific leaders are meeting to strengthen Indigenous-led conservation and climate resilience, with customary governance and sustainable financing at the centre of discussions. Mining Governance & Reform: PNG and Solomon Islands are moving to strengthen mining sector cooperation and governance, with a focus on transparency and better national benefit from mineral resources. Marine Pollution Alarm: A coalition warns deep sea mining could disturb radioactive material and push it through the food chain, calling for tighter scrutiny before seabed extraction expands. Wildlife Health: Australia reports a fifth bird flu case in a migratory seabird, urging calm as surveillance continues and no mass mortalities are seen. Education for Remote Communities: Project Skul is delivering desks, books and classroom learning tools to under-resourced schools, targeting gaps that hurt literacy and attendance.

Indigenous-led conservation: Pacific traditional leaders, conservation groups and youth reps are meeting in the Cook Islands for a Pacific Inclusive Conservation Learning Exchange, spotlighting customary stewardship and climate resilience across the region, including Papua New Guinea. Food safety in Port Moresby: NCDC hosted a food safety workshop urging food businesses to treat safety as shared responsibility, with environmental health and health agencies pushing stronger partnerships. El Niño and food systems: SPREP says El Niño can bring risks and opportunities, while ACIAR backs PNG with new research investments to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture, evidence-based policy and nutrition outcomes. Mining and governance: PNG and Solomon Islands are deepening cooperation on mining sector reforms, with leaders stressing transparency, landowner-centred benefits and better value capture. Deep sea mining warning: An anti-deep sea mining group warns that seabed mining could disturb radioactive material and expose people through the marine food chain, calling for stronger safeguards. Biodiversity monitoring: A new project is training local Biodiversity Team Leaders to map flora and fauna on PNG’s Managalas Plateau using camera traps and community knowledge. Renewables in Morobe: SP Brewery commissioned rooftop solar and a new warehouse in Lae, aiming to cut carbon footprint and improve operations. Education and resilience: PNG UOT is set to host a food, nutrition and climate resilience conference, while Project Skul continues delivering desks and learning materials to under-resourced schools. Wildlife and climate: A megapode explainer highlights how the birds incubate eggs using heat from mounds and volcanoes—an unusual survival strategy tied to PNG’s island ecosystems.

Deep-Sea Mining & Radioactivity Risk: An anti-deep sea mining coalition warns that seabed mining could disturb radioactive material and move it through the marine food chain, raising concerns for ocean life and seafood eaters, including in Papua New Guinea. Bird Flu Watch: Australia confirmed a fifth H5 bird flu case in a migratory seabird (a giant petrel), with authorities stressing no signs of spread to poultry or mass wildlife deaths and urging calm while surveillance continues. El Niño Food Security: SPREP highlights that El Niño can bring both risks and opportunities across the Pacific, as PNG and neighbours plan for changing rainfall and impacts on livelihoods. Resilient Agriculture Funding: ACIAR announced two new PNG agricultural research investments (over A$8m) focused on evidence for climate-resilient farming, productivity, and better food and nutrition outcomes. Mining Governance Cooperation: PNG and Solomon Islands agreed to strengthen mining sector reforms and governance, with landowner-centred approaches and clearer value retention on the agenda. Renewables in Morobe: SP Brewery commissioned a rooftop solar system and new warehouse in Lae, aiming to cut carbon footprint and improve long-term sustainability. Education & Learning Tools: Western Pacific University launched an AI-enabled digital knowledge hub (LearnX) with SmartX tablets, while Project Skul delivers desks, books, and classroom learning materials to under-resourced PNG schools. Biodiversity in the Managalas Plateau: A new project trains local biodiversity team leaders to map flora and fauna using camera traps and acoustic monitoring, supporting better conservation planning. Clean-up in Madang: UOT’s soccer team volunteered to clean Madang’s beachfront after the Intervarsity tournament, helping keep the province’s environment looking its best. Air Links: Solomon Airlines announced scheduled Port Moresby–Honiara service starting next week, boosting regional travel and people-to-people connections.

Climate & Biodiversity Activism: Protesters occupied London’s “Walkie Talkie” building to pressure insurers to stop underwriting LNG expansion in the Coral Triangle, home to PNG and other biodiversity hotspots. Mining Governance: PNG and Solomon Islands agreed to deepen cooperation on mining sector reforms, with PNG urging landowner-centred policy and clearer rules on taxes, royalties and equity. Plastic Pollution Diplomacy: Pacific leaders are pushing for stronger action at global plastic pollution talks in Nairobi, warning that millions of tonnes of plastic keep leaking into ocean ecosystems. Energy Transition in Morobe: SP Brewery commissioned rooftop solar and opened a new Lae warehouse, saying the move supports net-zero goals and cuts carbon footprint. Wildlife & Nature Notes: A new explainer highlights how PNG’s megapodes incubate eggs using natural heat sources, including geothermal sites near volcanoes. Food Security & Climate Stress: PNG Power Ltd urged Port Moresby and Central Province residents to conserve water and electricity as Sirinumu Dam levels fall under El Niño, reducing hydro generation and affecting city water supply. Education for Rural Communities: Project Skul is delivering repurposed desks, books and classroom learning tools to under-resourced PNG schools, aiming to lift attendance and learning outcomes.

Plastic Pollution Diplomacy: Pacific leaders are pushing for stronger action at next week’s Nairobi talks, warning that over 19 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year and calling for a global legally binding treaty to end marine plastic pollution. Renewables in Industry: SP Brewery in Lae has commissioned a rooftop solar system and opened a new warehouse in Morobe, framing the move as part of a net-zero push to cut carbon and reduce fossil fuel use. Biodiversity Monitoring: A new three-part look at the Managalas Plateau shows local “Biodiversity Team Leaders” using camera traps and acoustic monitoring to map flora and fauna and guide community-led conservation. Wildlife & Climate Clues: A wildlife explainer highlights how PNG’s megapodes incubate eggs using natural heat sources, including volcanic activity—an unusual survival strategy tied to local environments. Water Stress in the Capital: PNG Power Ltd urges Port Moresby and Central Province residents to conserve water and electricity as Sirinumu Dam levels fall under El Niño, reducing hydro generation and affecting city water supply. Education for Rural Schools: Project Skul is sending repurposed desks, books, whiteboards and learning materials to under-resourced PNG classrooms, aiming to lift attendance and literacy outcomes. Food Systems & Resilience: PNG University of Technology will host a July 1–3 conference on transforming food systems for nutrition and climate resilience, bringing together agriculture and research partners. Regional Links: Solomon Airlines launches a new scheduled route between Port Moresby and Honiara from July 7, boosting travel and connectivity across the Pacific.

El Niño Water Crunch in PNG: PNG Power Ltd says Sirinumu Dam is running low and urges Port Moresby and Central Province residents to conserve water and electricity as reduced dam releases cut hydro generation and affect city water supply. El Niño Preparedness: The National Disaster Centre has activated emergency response arrangements after the National Weather Service declared El Niño, with teams assessing frost and drought impacts in the Highlands and advisories sent to provinces. Bird Flu Watch (Regional Spillover): Australia confirmed a fourth H5N1 case in a migratory seabird (a giant petrel) with no signs of spread to poultry or local wildlife, but authorities keep surveillance tight. Coral and Microplastics Research: The French research sailboat Tara is heading to the Coral Triangle to study why some corals show resilience to climate change, alongside earlier microplastics work. Safe Water Data Gap: A new global map highlights that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, underscoring the scale of infrastructure and access challenges. PNG–Solomon Islands Cooperation: PNG and Solomon Islands signed a five-year framework to deepen collaboration on climate change, security, infrastructure, trade and investment from 2026 to 2030. WWII Explosive Removals: NZDF joined a multinational operation in PNG to destroy about 2,200 WWII-era explosive remnants, reducing long-running risks to communities. Blue Economy Research: Undana and ATSEA partner to study dugongs and seagrass ecosystems, aiming to strengthen marine conservation and sustainable coastal management. Local Conservation Funding (PNG): PNG secured global biodiversity funding for community-led conservation in the Highlands.

Explosive Safety: NZDF joined an ADF-led multinational operation in PNG to destroy about 2,200 WWII-era explosive remnants, disposing of roughly 7,550kg across East New Britain’s Gazelle, Kokopo and Rabaul districts to reduce long-running risks to communities. El Niño Water & Power: Port Moresby and Central province residents are being urged to conserve as Sirinumu Dam runs low, cutting hydro generation and forcing extra diesel power while protecting minimum raw water for the city supply. Bird Flu Watch: Australia confirmed a fourth H5N1 case in a migratory seabird (a giant petrel) with no signs of spread to poultry or wildlife yet—raising ongoing regional biosecurity attention for PNG’s poultry import controls. Labour Mobility: Bougainvilleans are continuing to move through Australia and New Zealand’s labour mobility schemes, with an ARoB recruitment hub set to transition to ABG operation—supporting skills and income that can indirectly strengthen resilience. Regional Cooperation: PNG and Solomon Islands signed a new 2026–2030 framework agreement covering development, infrastructure, security, trade and climate-related regional priorities. Blue Economy Research: Undana and ATSEA partner to study dugongs and seagrass ecosystems to support sustainable marine management. Oil & Gas Push: TotalEnergies and Petronas began a major offshore exploration campaign in PNG’s Gulf of Papua, including a frontier ultra-deepwater well. Public Health & WASH: WaterAid and NCDPHA ran WASH FIT training at 9-Mile Urban Clinic to strengthen water, sanitation, cleaning and medical waste practices.

El Niño Water Stress: Port Moresby and parts of Central Province are being urged to conserve water and electricity as Sirinumu Dam levels fall, cutting hydro generation and forcing PNG Power Ltd to lean more on diesel while also protecting minimum raw water for the city supply. Disaster Readiness: PNG’s National Disaster Centre has activated emergency preparedness after the National Weather Service declared El Niño, with teams assessing frost and drought impacts in the Highlands and warnings that food gardens and cash crops are already taking hits. Bird Flu Watch (Regional): Australia confirmed a fourth H5N1 case in a migratory giant petrel, with authorities stressing no signs of spread to poultry or local wildlife yet—an ongoing reminder for PNG’s biosecurity planning. Blue Economy Research: PNG and regional partners are pushing marine conservation research, including work aimed at protecting dugongs and seagrass to support a sustainable blue economy. Offshore Energy Push: TotalEnergies and Petronas have started a major offshore oil and gas exploration campaign in PNG’s Gulf of Papua, with drilling described as a potential deepwater frontier opening.

El Niño Water Crunch: Sirinumu Dam is running low as El Niño bites, and PNG Power Ltd is urging Port Moresby and Central Province residents to conserve water and electricity while it shifts to diesel generation to avoid load shedding and protect minimum raw water for the city. Avian Flu Watch: Australia confirmed a fourth H5N1 case in a migratory seabird, with officials stressing there’s still no sign of spread to poultry or local wildlife—an alert for the region’s biosecurity. Labour Mobility Shift: Bougainville continues sending workers to Australia and New Zealand under labour mobility schemes, with the ARoB recruitment hub set to transition to an Autonomous Bougainville Government-operated unit. Regional Cooperation: PNG and Solomon Islands signed a new five-year framework (2026–2030) to deepen work on trade, infrastructure, security, investment and climate-related regional priorities. Explosives Cleared: NZDF joined a multinational operation to safely destroy about 2,200 WWII-era explosives across East New Britain, reducing long-term risks to communities. Bird Flu Risk to Wildlife: Separate reporting warns H5N1 could threaten Australia’s native ducks if it spreads, highlighting how habitat stress can make wildlife more vulnerable.

El Niño Preparedness: PNG’s National Disaster Centre has activated emergency response after the National Weather Service declared El Niño, with frost and drought already damaging food gardens and cash crops in parts of the Highlands, Southern Highlands and Western Highlands. Offshore Energy: TotalEnergies and Petronas have started a “major” ultra-deepwater oil and gas exploration campaign in the Gulf of Papua near Kupiano, with drilling expected to attract major investment and potentially open new deepwater frontiers. Water Security Worry: Experts say Port Moresby’s ageing water supply network shows signs of imminent failure, raising concerns for urban water reliability. Illegal Fishing Push: At Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, countries and partners made hundreds of commitments and pledged $6.4b to strengthen marine protection, fisheries monitoring and the fight against illegal fishing. Blue Economy Research: Undana and ATSEA are studying dugongs and seagrass ecosystems to support a sustainable marine resource “blue economy” approach. Bird Flu Risk (Regional): Australia reported new H5N1 bird flu detections in wild birds, a reminder of how fast wildlife disease threats can spread across the region. Reforestation Deal: Hela signed an MoU with PNG’s National Forest Authority to kick off deforestation and afforestation work, including an initial 15 hectares for replanting. Community Health & WASH: WaterAid and NCDPHA delivered WASH FIT training at 9-Mile Urban Clinic to strengthen hygiene, sanitation and infection prevention.

El Niño warning for PNG: NOAA says El Niño conditions are already present and could intensify into a “super” event, with Papua New Guinea facing below-average rainfall and higher drought risk. Food security hit: Oxfam warns El Niño is already damaging Highlands crops and livestock with frost and prolonged dry weather, with up to 3 million people potentially affected and some households facing food supplies lasting only 2–3 months. Wildlife disease watch: Australia’s H5N1 bird flu detections in wild birds are expanding across states, with experts saying more cases are likely as migratory birds move—raising knock-on risks for wildlife and poultry. Conservation momentum: The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya ended with $6.4 billion in voluntary ocean pledges, including marine protected areas and fisheries monitoring. Forests in action: Hela signed an MoU with PNG’s National Forest Authority to kick off reforestation under the National Deforestation and Afforestation Program, including an initial 15 hectares. Water infrastructure concern: Experts say Port Moresby’s ageing water supply network shows signs of imminent failure, spotlighting urgent infrastructure risk. Education and health access: PNG opened a new 32-bed medical student dormitory in Lae and advanced higher-education partnerships, while a new level-three health centre opened in Gasmata to improve remote access.

El Niño Food Crisis: Papua New Guinea braces for severe food shortages as El Niño brings frost, drought and crop losses, with Oxfam warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may run out of food in just two to three months. Wildlife & Biosecurity: Australia’s H5N1 bird flu spreads to a second state, prompting heightened surveillance of wild birds; PNG had briefly suspended Australian poultry imports before lifting with caveats, underscoring the region’s shared risk. Conservation & Reforestation: Hela becomes the first PNG province to sign an MoU with the National Forest Authority for community-led reforestation, committing 15 hectares and aiming for tree planting across schools and public servants. New Marine Discovery: Scientists formally describe a new “walking shark” species from eastern PNG waters, Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, adding to reef-conservation urgency for these rare, shallow-water predators. Health & Access: A new level-three health centre opens in Gasmata to cut travel burdens and improve safety for remote families, backed by government and the Minderoo Foundation. Education & Partnerships: PNG expands higher education access with new medical student dorm housing in Lae and talks on international university links to strengthen science and technical training.

El Niño Food Crisis: Papua New Guinea is bracing for severe food shortages as El Niño brings frost and prolonged drought, with Oxfam warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some Highlands households may run out of food in just 2–3 months. Reforestation Push in Hela: Hela signed an MoU with the National Forest Authority to kick-start community-led reforestation, committing 15 hectares and aiming for 800 hectares nationwide. New Walking Shark Discovery: Scientists formally identified a new “walking shark” species, Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, from eastern Papua New Guinea—highlighting the value of reef conservation. Bird Flu Watch: Australia’s H5N1 bird flu spread to a second state, prompting tighter wildlife surveillance; PNG’s poultry import ban was briefly imposed then lifted with caveats. Tourism and Nature Economy: PNG’s tourism generated about US$244m in 2025 as arrivals recovered, though average spending per visitor fell. Offshore Oil Drilling Starts: TotalEnergies and Petronas began offshore drilling near Kupiano, with the government framing it as confidence in PNG’s energy future.