PNG Parliament to consider use of three main languages
The National Parliament will consider allowing the translation of parliamentary proceedings, Assistant Speaker Agena Gamai said. Gamai said in response to questions without notice from Morobe Governor Luther Wenge to
Bi-partisan Parliament committee to better PNG electoral process
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape wants a bi-partisan parliamentary committee to work immediately on a submission to go before cabinet next year 2023, on how to improve the country’s electoral process. With
‘I hope they open their ears and listen to us’: Tuvalu at INC1 Forum
Pacific delegates attending the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC1) to negotiate a global legally binding instrument on plastics, have embraced the opportunity to share perspectives with
Visa on arrival in PNG for Melanesian countries
Solomon Islands nationals and nationals of other Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries can now get their visa on arrival when travelling to Papua New Guinea. This came after the PNG government formally declared the
Stop urban drift, says PNG Govt
Papua New Guinea deputy Prime Minister John Rosso says the Government is looking at re-introducing the Vagrancy Act to curb the rise in crime and lawlessness in urban centres around the country. Rosso was responding in
‘More smoke than fire’: China’s Pacific aid falls short of pledges
Beijing’s development spending has fallen despite efforts to build influence in the region. In 2017, Papua New Guinea’s government announced a long-awaited AUD$4.1bn (US$2.6bn) upgrade of the nation’s potholed
PNG wins majority stake in Barrick-Zijin gold mine
Barrick Gold Corp has reached a deal that gives the Papua New Guinea government a majority share in the Porgera gold mine as part of plans to restart operations, the company said on Friday. The deal will set a benchmark
COP27: Biden’s new initiatives, PNG signs carbon deal
America has reassured Pacific and world leaders who are fighting for a 1.5 to Stay Alive outcome at COP27 in Egypt, of its commitment and renewed leadership to avert “climate hell.” President, Joe Biden, highlighted
Mark Robinson joins as new CEO of Bank South Pacific
Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited has announced the appointment of Mark T. Robinson as Group Chief Executive Officer. Robinson is a senior financial services executive and globally experienced banking Chief
PNG to receive ‘biggest slice’ of Australian finance
Papua New Guinea has been allocated the biggest slice — around 70 percent — of the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), according to the Australian government. Australia’s minister
Avoiding a WASHout
There has been a significant decline in donor funding for water, sanitation and hygiene projects in the Pacific, as the region continues to lag behind the Sustainable Development Goals on access to water. A recent study
Saved from the Unknown
One in four women with cervical cancer live in what the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines as the ‘Western Pacific Region’, a collection of Asia and Pacific Island states and territories. An estimated 145,700
‘English Channel Swim for Cheshire Disability Services’
An open ocean swim between England and France is the latest fundraising activity being planned for Cheshire Disability Services, the leading charity for people living with disabilities in PNG. The swim is being
Australian pilot sentenced to 18 years in PNG
An Australian pilot linked to the biggest drug bust in Papua New Guinea has been convicted and jailed for 18 years. The Waigani National Court on Friday sentenced David John Cutmore, 57, of Williams Landing, Queensland,
Pacific aid surges as China, U.S vie for influence
Regional powers poured record amounts of cash into the Pacific Islands during the coronavirus pandemic to help them weather the economic fallout as competition for influence heats up between China and the West. An
PACIFICi Portal to assist investigative anti-corruption efforts
With the Pacific Island region increasingly impacted by organised transnational crime, international drug and people smuggling, money laundering and corruption, a new web-based investigative tool, PACIFICi, is set to
Fiji and New Caledonia win gold at FIBA Melanesia Cup
Fiji and New Caledonia each took home gold in the 2022 FIBA Melanesian Cup. New Caledonia was crowned winner in the men’s category after defeating Papua New Guinea at Vodafone Arena, Suva. New Caledonia flew out
PNG economy forecast to pass K110 billion in 2022
The PNG economy is estimated to go pass a K110 billion (US$31 billion) in 2022. Prime Minister James Marape speaking at the 2022 PNG Update hosted by the University of PNG in Partnership with the Australia National
Collective action is necessary for Pacific security: Sovaleni
Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni welcomed Tuesday, senior defence delegates from the region to discuss Pacific security challenges and build collective Pacific responses. Attending the 7th South
Journey to COP27: Pacific Women negotiators state their case for 1.5 world
Pacific women negotiators at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP) are adamant about what they want to come from COP27 in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Corruption, a major impediment to PNG businesses
Corruption in the systems of government has continued to be a major impediment to businesses, the Small Medium Enterprises, new investors as well as existing companies operating in Papua New Guinea. The director of the
Australia, NZ ministers visiting Pacific neighbours this week
It has been another big week for high level visits from Australia and New Zealand into the region, with PNG, Nauru, Marshall Islands and Cook Islands all receiving ministerial-level visits. Australia’s deputy Prime
An ominous warning for PNG
Papua New Guinea: “When we don’t have any of these copper and gold mines anymore, where are we headed?” This quote is by Jerry Garry, Managing Director of PNG’s Mineral Resources Authority (MRA). According to Mr