PNG Political Reform Forum

14/03/2026

March 2026. From education funding to school level delivery in PNG.

This follows the A$33 million school partnership launched this month to support 600 schools across six parts of Papua New Guinea.

PNG education authorities, Australia and UNICEF are backing safer learning, stronger teaching and better school systems for students, teachers and communities.

The programme includes school safety, digital learning, teacher support, stronger school leadership, child protection, and better inspection and monitoring.

This matters because education reform has more value when support reaches schools and classrooms in practice.

https://www.unicef.org/png/press-releases/papua-new-guinea-australia-and-unicef-launch-33-million-partnership-strengthen

14/03/2026

March 2026. A$33 million school partnership launched in PNG.
A four year programme will support 600 schools across six parts of Papua New Guinea with safer learning, stronger teaching and better school systems.
UNICEF, the Australian Government and PNG education authorities are delivering it to help students, teachers and school leaders.
The programme includes school safety, digital learning, teacher support, stronger school leadership, child protection, and better inspection and monitoring.
This matters because stronger schools help build better learning, better skills and better future jobs for PNG.
https://www.unicef.org/png/press-releases/papua-new-guinea-australia-and-unicef-launch-33-million-partnership-strengthen

14/03/2026

February 2026. World Bank backs PNG jobs and growth plan to 2031.

A new six year partnership framework was approved to support jobs, skills, infrastructure, stronger institutions, and private sector growth in Papua New Guinea.

The World Bank Group and PNG institutions are using it to guide practical reforms and investment across the country.

The framework focuses on human capital, basic infrastructure, economic governance, and business growth, with agriculture identified as a major path for jobs.

This matters because broad based jobs and stronger services help more PNG families than growth that stays trapped in one part of the economy.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/partnership-with-world-bank-group-backs-papua-new-guinea-s-efforts-to-create-more-jobs

A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Papua New Guinea aims to support the reforms and investments necessary to create jobs, improve services, and help build a foundation of lasting resilience.

14/03/2026

February 2026. US$60.9 million approved for urban water and sanitation in PNG.

The funding will improve water supply and sanitation services in Port Moresby and Vanimo through a new Asian Development Bank loan package.

ADB, PNG authorities and utility partners are using it to strengthen urban services and improve basic living conditions.

The project will support water and wastewater upgrades, with the main approval set at US$60.9 million. Kina conversion not provided.
This matters because safer water and sanitation mean better health, stronger cities, and more reliable essential services for PNG communities.

https://www.adb.org/news/adb-approves-60-9-million-strengthen-urban-water-sanitation-papua-new-guinea

ADB has approved a $60.9 million loan to improve water supply and sanitation in urban communities in Port Moresby and Vanimo, Papua New Guinea.

23/02/2026

February 2026. PNG Chiefs open a working headquarters in Port Moresby.
The team will now operate from an office inside the Santos National Football Stadium.
This gives the program a permanent base for staff, planning, admin systems, and partner coordination.
Business Advantage PNG reports the club build includes home matches at the stadium and a high performance training centre to be built nearby.
This matters because a real office and training plan is a practical step that supports jobs, skills pathways, and local business activity.
https://www.businessadvantagepng.com/full-steam-ahead-how-the-new-papua-new-guinea-rugby-league-team-is-shaping-up/

Claire Nathan reports on the countdown to the most significant moment in PNG’s sporting history, the premiere of the PNG Chiefs.

23/02/2026

February 2026. K214 million restrained under the Proceeds of Crime Act process.
About K214,000,000 held in a law firm trust account was restrained by court order to stop it being moved.
Police and the Asset Restraint and Recovery Working Group used the POCA process while investigations continue.
The report says intelligence indicated the funds were at risk of being shifted into other accounts quickly.
This matters because freezing funds early protects public money and strengthens financial enforcement.
https://www.facebook.com/tvwanonline24/posts/localnews-prime-minister-james-marape-has-confirmed-that-about-k214m-held-in-a-t/889747783816587/

Prime Minister James Marape has confirmed that about K214m held in a trust account by a law firm was frozen as evidence that financial oversight and enforcement mechanisms are active and operational as the Government implements the conditions set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address grey-listing in the country.

Read More: https://tvwan.com.pg/news/8301

23/02/2026

February 2026. K92 reports commissioned expansion and 2026 targets in PNG.
The investor update says commissioning of the Stage 3 Expansion process plant finished in December 2025.
It gives 2026 production guidance of 190,000 to 225,000 oz AuEq and exploration of US$31 million to US$35 million.
It also lists enabling works such as power and Port of Lae logistics upgrades as part of ongoing delivery.
This matters because funded work programs support jobs and local suppliers year after year.
https://www.marketscreener.com/news/k92-mining-investor-presentation-view-2026-02-19-investor-presentation-final-ce7e5dd2da8cff24

Growing Production & Transformative Discoveries I N V E S T O R P R E S E N T A T I O N • F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 6 2021 THAYER LINDSLEY AWARD ...

23/02/2026

February 2026. Re*****on intake adds trainees and apprentices with clear numbers.
Re*****on Group selected 5 for 2026, including 2 graduate trainees and 3 junior service technician apprentices.
The report says 19 graduate candidates and 7 apprenticeship candidates were shortlisted nationwide.
It states the graduate program is 1 year and the apprenticeship pathway is 4 years with the trade testing system.
This matters because certified skills pipelines lift service quality and long term employment.
https://www.pngbusinessnews.com/articles/2026/2/remington-group-welcomes-2026-graduates-and-apprentices

The Re*****on Group has welcomed five new young professionals into its 2026 intake, comprising two Graduate Development Program (GDP) trainees and three Junior Service Technician apprentices, following a competitive nationwide selection process. From applicants across Papua New Guinea’s four regio...

23/02/2026

February 2026. Steamships begins 2026 graduate intake and confirms placements.
Steamships welcomed 9 graduates into its 2026 Graduate Development Program.
The report says they completed a week long induction with site visits across Logistics, Hospitality, and Properties.
It also confirms 2022 program graduates moving into supervisor and manager roles.
This matters because structured pipelines grow PNG talent into real operational leadership.
https://www.pngbusinessnews.com/articles/2026/2/steamships-welcomes-2026-graduate-cohort-and-celebrates-recent-graduates

Continuing its commitment to developing local talent, Steamships is delighted to commence its 2026 Graduate Development Program (GDP), welcoming nine new graduates into the program while also celebrating the successful completion of the program by the 2022 cohort. Managing Director of Steamships, Ch...

23/02/2026

February 2026. PNG quicklime supply deal secured for Newmont operations.
Pacific Lime and Cement signed a long term quicklime offtake agreement with Newmont.
The report says contracted volumes represent about one third of the project’s nameplate capacity.
This supports a domestic industrial input supply chain instead of importing all quicklime.
This matters because local manufacturing keeps more value, skills, and jobs in PNG.
https://www.pngbusinessnews.com/articles/2026/2/pacific-lime-and-cement-secures-landmark-quicklime-offtake-with-newmont

Pacific Lime and Cement Limited has entered into a long-term quicklime offtake agreement with Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold producer, to supply its Papua New Guinea operations from PLC’s Central Lime Project in Central Province. Under the agreement, Newmont becomes a cornerstone ...

23/02/2026

February 2026. Morobe school opens new classrooms and teacher housing.
Sagaling Primary School opened a K100,000 double classroom and a K20,000 teachers house.
The story reports the new buildings are complete and now in use for learning and staff support.
More classrooms reduce overcrowding. Teacher housing helps keep teachers in remote areas.
This matters because better facilities improve attendance, safety, and learning stability.
https://www.thenational.com.pg/school-welcomes-double-classroom-teachers-houses/

Nation School welcomes double classroom, teachers’ houses By The National February 18, 2026 Share FacebookWhatsAppEmail SAGALING Primary School in the Wampar local level government of Huon Gulf, Morobe, recently opened a K100,000 double classroom building and a K20,000 teachers’ house. The class...

23/02/2026

February 2026. EU and PNG hold first Samoa Agreement partnership dialogue.
The first formal dialogue under the Samoa Agreement was held on 12 February 2026 in Brussels.
European External Action Service and PNG institutions met under the official partnership framework.
The update confirms the dialogue is now active, which is a real step beyond general talk.
This matters because stable partnerships support trade, programs, and long term investment certainty.
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-and-papua-new-guinea-first-partnership-dialogue-under-samoa-agreement_en

The European Union and Papua New Guinea (PNG) held their first “Partnership Dialogue” under Art. 3 of the new Partnership Agreement between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the EU (“Samoa Agreement”) on 12 February in Brussels. The EU and PNG took stock of bilate...