PACNEWS ONE, Thursday 3 September 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PNG — Armed thieves steal gold and cash during Port Moresby hold-up in one of PNG’s biggest robberies 2. PACIFIC — Green Climate Fund cuts climate funding approval time to nine
PNG
PNG parliament passes Pacific Adventist University bill in unanimous vote
PAPUA New Guinea’s National Parliament has passed legislation modernising the legal framework of Pacific Adventist University, with 62 lawmakers voting in favour and none
PNG Power faces crisis as government weighs provincial partnerships, privatisation
PAPUA New Guinea’s mani power company faces a “terminal” financial and operational condition after decades of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and poor revenue
An Australian gift of guns to PNG must not end up in the wrong hands
IN March, Papua New Guinea’s Chief of Defence, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, issued a warning about PNG’s inability to secure its armoury and keep its guns and ammunition safe from being used by the civilian
Wame Blood nomination a victory for PNG’s creative industry
PAPUA New Guinea’s acclaimed music group Wame Blood has been hailed for representing the nation at the 2026 Pacific Music Awards in Auckland, New Zealand, despite not receiving an
PNG seeks Timor-Leste troops for 2027 election security force
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said he would ask Timor-Leste to provide 200 defence personnel for a proposed multinational force to help secure and supervise PNG’s 2027 national
PNG-Vanuatu breaks ground on new chancery in Port Vila
PAPUA New Guinea and Vanuatu broke ground for a new PNG diplomatic mission in Port Vila, deepening ties between the two Melanesian neighbours 46 years after a PNG military intervention helped secure Vanuatu’s
WWII Warbird section returns to Wisconsin after 80 Years in PNG
A RECOVERED section of World War II fighter aircraft has been flown back to the United States from Papua New Guinea, where it remained in the rainforest since 1944.
PNG government takes $16.3 million stake in lime project
PAPUA New Guinea’s government has exercised equity participation rights to take a 13 per cent stake in Pacific Lime and Cement’s Central Lime Project for $US16.3 million.
81 PNG public bodies miss reports, exposing deep compliance failure
EIGHTY-one of Papua New Guinea’s 145 government agencies and provincial administrations failed to submit mandatory 2025 annual performance reports.
Honouring Papua New Guinea’s legacy
PAPUA New Guinea’s National Remembrance Day was marked with a call to look beyond World War II and also honour the pioneers, workers and communities that helped shape the nation.
Jackson’s airport redevelopment key to PNG’s regional hub plans
THE redevelopment of Jackson’s International Airport in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, has been described as a major investment ins aviation, tourism and trade ambitions.
Hopes fade for 24 missing in PNG sea mishap
THE search continues in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain province for 24 people missing at sea after two boats capsized while returning from a picnic at the weekend.
New Zealand and PNG sign defence pact to boost military ties
NEW Zealand and Papua New Guinea have signed a new defence cooperation agreement aimed at deepening military ties, including more dialogue, training, exercises and personnel exchanges.
Taiwan reassesses PNG gas imports amid diplomatic tensions
TAIWAN is weighing possible economic steps against Papua New Guinea after Port Moresby ordered the closure of Taipei’s representative office, a move that could spill over into LNG trade and deepen an already sensitive
PNG eyes new wave of mining and gas projects
PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape earlier this week pitched PNG as a stable destination for foreign capital, saying the country was “open for business” as it moves toward a wave of mining and gas
PNG and Solomon Islands expand economic ties
PAPUA New Guinea and the Solomon Islands will deepen cooperation in mining, fisheries, trade and investment after talks between Prime Ministers James Marape and Matthew Wale in Honiara.
Air Niugini restores direct PNG-Japan route after pandemic suspension
AIR Niugini has restored direct flights between Port Moresby and Tokyo’s Narita airport, reopening a route that first linked Papua New Guinea and Japan in 2018.
PNG LNG landowner stakes will not be diluted, Marape says
PAPUA New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has sought to calm concerns over the PNG LNG project, saying the government will not dilute landowners’ and provincial governments’ equity stakes.
Australia launches five-week hydrographic mission in PNG
AUSTRALIA will deploy its hydrographic survey ship, HMAS Leeuwin, to Papua New Guinea for a five-week mission to improve navigation safety and strengthen maritime cooperation.
Marape pledges legal and funding support for St John Ambulance
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said the government would move to strengthen St John Ambulance through legislation which would recognise its role as a national emergency service.
Taipei protests as PNG orders Taiwan office shut
PAPUA New Guinea has ordered the immediate closure of Taiwan’s Economic Office in a move which strengthened Port Moresby’s alignment with Beijing and drew a sharp protest from Taipei.
Australia, PNG unveil first mutual defence treaty in more than 70 years
AUSTRALIA and Papua New Guinea have formalised a landmark mutual defence treaty, a move the two governments cast as a major upgrade in security ties and a new phase in the relationships between the Pacific neighbours.
