AGP Executive Report

Electricity Theft Crackdown: PNG Power says it’s rolling out smart meters and upgraded monitoring to cut electricity theft and reduce a roughly 12% loss rate, including illegal connections and meter tampering. Fisheries Enforcement: Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four in a FFA-led regional sweep across 27.5 million sq km, with Papua New Guinea among participating members. Marine Tourism Push: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority is partnering to revive a dormant Port Moresby ferry, aiming to expand marine tourism products and private-sector involvement. Mining & Local Benefits: Mining Minister Solen Loifa cleared the revised Hidden Valley CDA for signing, while Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina approved a National Content Plan for the Pasca A Gas Project to boost local jobs and supplier participation. Debt Pressure: Opposition leader James Nomane warns PNG is in a debt “death spiral,” calling for full loan disclosure and updated fiscal reporting. Education Support: Australia’s Direct Aid Program backed refurbishment of Siassi Lutheran Secondary School’s mess hall in Morobe, improving safer facilities for students and staff. Health Delivery: PNGDF helped deliver one million antibiotic tablets to West Sepik to treat yaws. Leadership & Governance: Dame Meg Taylor urged Pacific leadership rooted in culture, relationships and women’s roles in decision-making. Climate & Participation: Australia’s Pre-COP summit in Fiji is drawing union voices as world leaders stay away. Regional Sports: Fiji formally joined the Pacific Rugby League Partnership alongside PNG, Samoa and Tonga.

Electricity Theft Crackdown: PNG Power is rolling out smart meters and upgraded monitoring across the national grid to tackle widespread electricity theft, citing an overall loss rate of about 12% and calling for tougher laws to recover long-running debts. Mining and Indigenous Sovereignty: A new report on Bougainville copper mining digs into the “green” energy transition pressures and why Indigenous responses to extraction are rarely simple or one-sided. Local Benefits in Gas Development: Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina has approved the Pasca A Gas Project National Content Plan, aiming to boost PNG jobs, training, and local supplier participation. Coastline Plastic Pollution: Communities along the Motu-Koitabu coastline are urging action over rising rubbish and plastic waste affecting mangroves, marine life, public health, and livelihoods. Illegal Fishing Patrols: Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four, as FFA surveillance targeted IUU fishing across 27.5 million sq km. Wildlife Trade Warning: A fish maw smuggling case highlights how demand for “fish maw” drives bycatch deaths of protected species and threatens marine biodiversity. Cocoa Downstream Push: Paradise Foods’ expanded chocolate factory is set to massively increase processing capacity, turning more cocoa into finished products for overseas markets.

Fisheries Crackdown: Operation Island Chief 2026 (OPIC26) flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four in a two-week, FFA-coordinated surveillance push across about 27.5 million sq km of Pacific waters, including PNG’s EEZ—using aerial patrols, surface checks and remote monitoring to target illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Marine Tourism Boost: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has partnered to revive a dormant Port Moresby ferry, aiming to restart safe operations and expand marine tourism products and private-sector involvement along the capital’s coastline. Coastline Pollution: Motu-Koitabu coastal communities are calling for urgent support to tackle rising rubbish and plastic waste from Papa Lealea to Pari, warning of impacts on marine ecosystems, public health and livelihoods. Cocoa Downstreaming: Paradise Foods’ upgraded Queen Emma Chocolate factory in Port Moresby is set to massively expand processing capacity, helping more farmers sell processed cocoa and supporting PNG’s push for higher-value production at home. Gas Local Benefits: Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina approved the Pasca A Gas Project National Content Plan, setting a framework to grow PNG jobs, training and local business participation in project supply chains. Climate Risk Attention: Experts warn strong El Niño conditions are likely to bite, with knock-on effects for water and food supplies and school disruptions already being reported. Biodiversity Note: A long-missing PNG bird, the black-naped pheasant-pigeon, has been highlighted as rediscovered after decades—an encouraging reminder of what conservation and careful fieldwork can still uncover.

Space for disaster response: The UAE is stepping up as a leader in the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters, using satellite imagery and geospatial tools to speed up damage assessment after earthquakes in places like Egypt and Colombia. Climate and forests: PNG PM James Marape met King Charles III in London, discussing climate crisis mitigation and the need for big carbon emitters to remunerate rainforest preservation. Downstream cocoa boost: Paradise Foods’ Queen Emma Chocolate factory in Port Moresby has reopened with upgraded machinery (EU-STREIT PNG/FAO support), aiming to multiply output and help farmers sell higher-value products. Coastline pollution: Motu-Koitabu coastal communities are calling for urgent action as rubbish and plastic waste pile up along beaches, mangroves and waterfronts, harming marine life and public health. Resilience in the islands: IOM is working with Carteret Islands communities to map climate risks like sea-level rise, erosion and saltwater intrusion and strengthen local adaptation. Agriculture pressure: A new report says PNG’s farm output has been declining for decades, arguing policy won’t fix it without better on-the-ground farming support.

Cocoa Downstream Push: Papua New Guinea inaugurated upgraded cocoa processing and chocolate-making capacity at Paradise Foods’ Queen Emma Chocolate factory in Port Moresby, boosting output and helping more cocoa be processed locally before export. Coastline Pollution: Communities along the Motu-Koitabu coastline are calling for urgent support to tackle rising rubbish and plastic waste hitting beaches, mangroves, marine life and public health. Biodiversity Rediscovery: A bird long thought extinct—the black-naped pheasant-pigeon—was caught on camera again after a 2022 expedition to Fergusson Island, highlighting how fragile wildlife can still rebound with protection. Climate Resilience in the Pacific: IOM is working with Carteret Islands communities in Bougainville to identify locally driven solutions as sea-level rise, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and drought threaten food and livelihoods. Regional Environment Governance: SPREP’s Executive Board meeting in Samoa reviewed Pacific environmental challenges and priorities, keeping the focus on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution. Agriculture Under Pressure: A report warns PNG’s agricultural output has been declining for decades and says policy alone won’t reverse it without changes on the ground. Digital Safety: Pacific foreign ministers backed AI rules and safer digital spaces as connectivity expands across the region. Local Skills & Research: DWU journalism students in Madang showcased research on contemporary PNG issues, supported by Post-Courier and ExxonMobil PNG.

Rediscovery for PNG wildlife: A bird long thought extinct—the black-naped pheasant-pigeon—was reportedly caught on camera after a 2022 expedition on Fergusson Island, with local hunters helping researchers confirm it still survives. Coastline pollution: Communities along the Motu-Koitabu coastline say rubbish and plastic waste are piling up from Papa Lealea to Pari, harming mangroves, marine life, public health and livelihoods. Downstream cocoa push: PNG inaugurated upgraded cocoa processing and chocolate capacity at Paradise Foods’ Queen Emma factory in Port Moresby, aiming to boost output and keep more value in-country for farmers and overseas buyers. Climate resilience at sea level frontlines: IOM is supporting Carteret Islands communities in Bougainville’s Carteret Islands (Iagain) to plan locally led responses to rising seas, erosion, saltwater intrusion and food insecurity. Freshwater security in the region: Solomon Islands launched the PacFresH2O programme to protect freshwater resources and strengthen climate resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. SPREP environment priorities: SPREP’s Executive Board meeting in Samoa reviewed Pacific environmental challenges tied to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Energy and rural opportunity: A PNG student’s electrical engineering scholarship story highlights how unreliable electricity limits study and rural development. Cocoa factory funding: The EU-STREIT PNG Programme and FAO-backed upgrades are expanding cocoa processing, with reported gains in capacity and quality.

Downstream cocoa boost: Papua New Guinea inaugurated upgraded cocoa processing and chocolate-making capacity at Paradise Foods’ Queen Emma Chocolate factory in Port Moresby, adding 12 new machines worth US$2.8m (EU-STREIT PNG/FAO support) and expected to double output from 10 to 200 tonnes per month—helping farmers sell higher-value products locally. Coastline waste pressure: Communities along the Motu-Koitabu coastline are calling for urgent government support as rubbish and plastic waste pile up across beaches, mangroves and waterfronts, harming marine ecosystems, public health and livelihoods. Climate resilience in Bougainville’s Carteret Islands: IOM is working with Iagain communities to map climate risks and adaptation gaps as sea-level rise, erosion, saltwater intrusion and drought threaten homes, gardens and freshwater. Gas sector national benefits: The Pasca A Gas Project’s National Content Plan was approved, outlining training, jobs and opportunities for PNG-owned businesses to supply goods and services for the development. Regional security cooperation: PNG’s Police Minister says more than 300 Pacific police officers are expected to support security operations for PNG’s 2027 National General Election, with officers training together in Australia. Freshwater security program: Solomon Islands launched the PacFresH2O programme to strengthen freshwater resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, targeting climate-driven water stress. STEM scholarship expansion: PNG’s STEM overseas scholarship programme has grown to more than 360 students studying in the US, China, India, Fiji and Malaysia. Air Niugini runway disruptions: Temporary runway rehabilitation at Mt Hagen, Hoskins and Kiunga is limiting flights to Dash 8 aircraft on some routes until later this year.

Cocoa Downstream Push: Papua New Guinea inaugurated upgraded cocoa processing and chocolate-making capacity at Paradise Foods’ Queen Emma Chocolate factory in Port Moresby, with EU-STREIT PNG support and FAO implementation—aiming to double output and lift local value from beans to finished products. Coastline Waste Worry: Communities along the Motu-Koitabu coastline are calling for urgent help as rubbish and plastic build up across beaches, mangroves and waterfronts, threatening marine life, public health and livelihoods. Gas Project Local Benefits: The Pasca A Gas Project received approval for its National Content Plan, setting out training, jobs and more opportunities for PNG-owned businesses to supply goods and services. Climate Adaptation at Home: IOM is working with Iagain communities in Bougainville’s Carteret Islands to map climate risks and adaptation gaps as sea-level rise, erosion, saltwater intrusion and drought squeeze homes and food gardens. Extreme Heat Warning: A new global analysis highlights extreme heat as the deadliest climate risk, with several countries facing severe exposure—an urgent reminder for PNG’s own warming and health risks. Freshwater Security: Solomon Islands launched the PacFresH2O programme to protect freshwater resources and strengthen climate resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Energy and Access: A PNG STEM scholarship story spotlights how unreliable electricity in rural areas shapes education choices—underscoring the link between power, opportunity and development.

Cocoa Downstream Push: Papua New Guinea inaugurated upgraded cocoa processing and chocolate-making capacity at Paradise Foods’ Queen Emma Chocolate factory in Port Moresby, with EU-STREIT PNG and FAO support, aiming to double output and keep more value-add in-country. Coastline Waste Warning: Communities along the Motu-Koitabu coastline say rubbish and plastic are piling up across beaches, mangroves and waterfronts, harming marine life, public health and livelihoods, and calling for stronger waste management support. Gas Project Local Benefits: The Pasca A Gas Project cleared its National Content Plan, setting out training, jobs and more procurement opportunities for PNG-owned businesses. Climate Resilience at the Coast: In Bougainville’s Carteret Islands, IOM is working with Iagain communities to map climate risks like sea-level rise, erosion and saltwater intrusion and identify locally led adaptation options. SPREP Environment Focus: SPREP’s Executive Board meeting in Samoa reaffirmed work tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, with priorities shaped by Pacific member needs. Digital Safety for the Pacific: Pacific Ministers backed regional principles for AI governance and safer digital spaces as connectivity expands across the region. Energy Access Story: A Central province student pursuing electrical engineering under PNG’s STEM scholarship highlights how unreliable rural power limits study and opportunity. Freshwater Security in the Region: Solomon Islands launched PacFresH2O to strengthen freshwater resilience across Solomon Islands and PNG.

Airport Disruptions: Air Niugini is adjusting flights to Mt Hagen, Hoskins and Kiunga as runway rehabilitation limits operations, with Dash 8s restricted at Kagamuga until around October and Hoskins also capped to Dash 8s before Q400 services resume mid-September; the full works are set to finish in early December, opening the door for larger aircraft. LNG Pressure on Landowners: Global energy firms are pushing to move Papua LNG forward, with Elk-Antelope gas in Gulf Province still untapped since 2006; the project has faced delays, cost blowouts and landowner disputes, but new EPC steps show momentum. Freshwater Security: Solomon Islands has launched the PacFresH2O programme to protect freshwater and build climate resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, citing drought, shifting rainfall, flooding and saltwater intrusion as today’s realities. Climate Impacts on Schools: El Niño is forcing half-day schedules and earlier closures in parts of PNG, with schools told to manage heat risks, clear dry grass and monitor water supplies. Digital Trust Laws: PNG is consulting on data protection, cybersecurity and verifiable credentials bills, including tighter rules for biometric data and penalties for breaches. Conservation & Waterways: SPREP’s board meeting in Samoa reaffirmed work tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as linked “triple planetary crises.”

Freshwater Security: Solomon Islands launched the PacFresH2O Programme to protect freshwater resources and boost climate resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, warning that drought, shifting rainfall, flooding, saltwater intrusion and watershed damage are already hitting communities. Climate Diplomacy: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, pushing for more climate finance, renewable energy investment and Pacific leadership through Pre-COP31 meetings, with PNG among the ministers attending. El Niño Impacts: Schools in parts of PNG are shortening hours as El Niño bites, with guidance to monitor water supplies, reduce outdoor activities and watch for heat exhaustion and dehydration. Marine Tourism & Coastal Use: PNGTPA signed a partnership to revive a ferry in Port Moresby Harbour, aiming to restart marine tourism activities and create new experiences around the capital’s coastline. Digital Protection: PNG opened public consultation on data protection, cybersecurity and digital trust bills covering biometric safeguards, identity providers and rules for the SevisPass/SevisWallet ecosystem. Energy & Resilience Tech: Polar Power reported repeat orders and new deployments of solar hybrid systems across Pacific telecom sites, including PNG, as operators standardize on off-grid power solutions. Mining & Environment Watch: Bougainville’s government authorized preparatory works to assess redevelopment of the long-shuttered Panguna copper mine, a move that could reshape local environmental and land-use debates.

Climate Diplomacy Under Pressure: PNG’s foreign minister says climate has slipped down the Pacific agenda as oil supply worries and strategic rivalry take over, after China’s missile test and Middle East conflict dominated Pacific Islands Forum talks. Maritime Security & Research Concerns: A Chinese icebreaker’s reported entry into Palau’s waters has raised fears that “environmental monitoring” could also support military intelligence, adding to regional unease over growing militarisation. Digital ID & Biometric Rules: PNG opened public consultation on three bills covering data protection, cybersecurity and verifiable credentials, including tighter safeguards for biometric data and rules for digital trust services. El Niño Water Stress: Communities across PNG and Fiji are preparing for worsening dry conditions, with Port Moresby facing a partial water shutdown as drought pressure builds. Renewables for Connectivity: Polar Power reports $7.9m in Pacific revenue since 2024 and repeat orders for solar-hybrid systems, supporting telecom broadband in remote island sites. COP31 Push: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, calling for more climate finance, renewable investment and louder Pacific leadership. Coral Triangle LNG Backlash: Climate protesters accuse insurers of “corporate spies” while urging them to stop underwriting LNG expansion in the Coral Triangle.

Copper Revival in Bougainville: Lloyds Metals & Energy has been cleared to begin preparatory and feasibility work to restart the Panguna copper mine, long shuttered after decades of conflict—an electrification-driven copper push with big local development stakes. Disaster Readiness: The U.S. Embassy and PNG civil-military partners launched a four-day disaster management and humanitarian assistance field training in Morobe to strengthen province-level response to floods, landslides and drought. Climate Finance Push: Pacific foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, urging more climate finance, renewable investment and louder Pacific leadership through Pre-COP31 meetings. El Niño Water Stress: Forecasters warn El Niño could worsen drought and water pressure across the Pacific, with PNG and Fiji facing growing supply risks. Digital ID Feedback: PNG is seeking public input on proposed digital identity and data protection laws, including expansion of SevisWallet credentials. Biodiversity Protest Spotlight: Climate protesters accused insurers of using “corporate spies” while calling for LNG underwriting to be ruled out in the Coral Triangle. Off-grid Power for Islands: Polar Power secured orders for more solar hybrid systems to expand broadband support across Solomon Islands communities. HIV Call for Action: Leaders urged stronger investment and partnerships as PNG’s HIV prevalence remains a concern.

Climate Talks: Pacific negotiators say progress is painfully slow at the UN climate meeting in Azerbaijan, with key finance and agenda items pushed back and leaders warning they won’t trade away the 1.5°C goal. Water & El Niño: El Niño is already tightening water and food supplies across the Pacific, with Fiji warning of “drastic measures” and PNG residents preparing for partial water shutdowns as repairs are planned. Digital Governance: PNG is seeking public feedback on proposed digital ID and data protection laws, including a national digital wallet (SevisWallet) and new verifiable credentials. Biodiversity & Nature: The Nature Conservancy Australia has opened entries for its 2026 Oceania Photo Contest, inviting photographers from PNG and the region to capture nature and climate themes. Marine Conservation: Pristine Seas has arrived in Samoa for an MPA network survey using deep-sea cameras, submersibles and community-led research. Wildlife Spotlight: A new explainer looks at the Papuan olive python—its rainforest habitat, diet and reproduction—highlighting New Guinea’s biodiversity value. Energy Access: Polar Power says it has new orders for solar hybrid systems to expand off-grid broadband power across remote Solomon Islands telecom sites.

Climate & Water Stress: El Niño is already tightening water and food supplies across the Pacific, with Fiji warning of “drastic measures” and Papua New Guinea preparing for a partial Port Moresby water shutdown to repair a leaking pipeline. Pacific Security & Militarisation: China’s nuclear-capable missile test into the Pacific has heightened concern over growing militarisation, with PNG’s foreign minister calling it “totally inappropriate” while stressing China remains a close ally. Indigenous-Led Adaptation Finance: Pacific voices are pushing for climate adaptation and finance that are shaped by Indigenous knowledge, including locally led approaches and better access to climate funding. Indigenous Rights Across Melanesia: The Melanesian Spearhead Group reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Indigenous rights, languages, cultures and traditional knowledge, highlighting community stewardship of reefs and forests. Marine & Biodiversity Conservation: The Nature Conservancy opened entries for its 2026 Oceania Photo Contest, inviting photographers from PNG and the region to spotlight nature and conservation action. Tuna Economy Planning: PNG will host the Pacific-led Tuna Economy Dialogue in Port Moresby (13–16 Oct 2026) to build practical partnerships for a “lucrative and sustainable” tuna economy. Health Leadership: PNG leaders called for stronger action on HIV/AIDS as prevalence remains a concern, urging more investment, testing and prevention partnerships. Environment Knowledge in Action: Local biodiversity monitoring is expanding on PNG’s Managalas Plateau, training young team leaders to track flora and fauna for better conservation decisions. Conservation Storytelling: Pristine Seas’ Samoa expedition is using underwater surveys and community partnership to strengthen ocean protection and biodiversity understanding.

Ocean Protection in Samoa: Pristine Seas’ Argo expedition is heading to Samoa for marine protected area surveys, using SCUBA checks, deep-sea cameras, seabird monitoring, environmental DNA sampling, and submersible dives to study the “twilight zone” with local partners at the centre. Wildlife Spotlight: A new explainer looks at the Papuan olive python—its rainforest and swamp habitat, diet, hunting style, and egg-laying reproduction—highlighting its role in keeping rainforest ecosystems balanced. Climate Research: A study links giant North American ice sheets from the last ice age to shifts in Australia’s rainfall patterns, including impacts on parts of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Biodiversity Monitoring in PNG: On the Managalas Plateau, clan-led teams are training young Biodiversity Team Leaders to track flora and fauna and improve conservation decisions. Conservation & Community: A “conservation deed” initiative aims to protect tree kangaroos, forests, and people in Papua New Guinea. Local Tech for Sustainability: THEODIST showcased PNG’s ICT and AI capability at DTS26, pitching practical digital tools for resilience and secure digital services. Mining & Environment Watch: K92 Mining reported strong Q2 results and continued progress on its Stage 3 expansion—relevant for how operations may affect local environmental management.