The Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) is set to hold its first Informal Economy Sectoral Committee Meeting of 2026, marking a significant return of structured dialogue on one of Papua New Guinea’s most dominant economic sectors. The meeting will take place this week Thursday 28 May 2026 at the Crown Hotel in Port Moresby, bringing together government agencies, civil society actors, and private sector representatives to discuss policy direction and reform priorities for the informal economy. The session will be chaired by Department for Community Development and Religion Secretary Jerry Ubase, who said the dialogue is critical for addressing long-standing legislative and institutional gaps affecting the sector. He said the engagement is not only about policy discussion but about shaping human development outcomes and strengthening family livelihoods. “Engaging in this dialogue is critical; it establishes a vital precedent for the informal economy to advance human development and family well-being,” Ubase said. He added that collaboration between stakeholders is essential to bridge development gaps and ensure the sector is properly supported under national planning frameworks, including the Reset@50 initiative and the country’s long term development roadmap. Ubase also highlighted the importance of recognizing the scale and cultural role of informal economic activity in Papua New Guinea. “The informal economy represents the true ‘PNG Way,’ where our culture and daily livelihood seamlessly integrate into commerce, sustaining over 85% of our population,” he said. “Instead of viewing the informal sector as a nuisance, we must regulate it effectively, foster its growth, and cultivate a conducive environment where it can thrive.” He added The meeting will focus on key national reforms, including updates on the Revised Informal Economy Bill, the National Informal Economy Policy II, and the National SME Policy, which aim to better integrate informal workers and small businesses into the formal economy. Among the key agenda items are updates from the Constitutional Law Reform Commission on the Informal Economy Bill, discussions on Safe Cities Market Initiatives led by the NCDC Markets Division, and the adoption of the committee’s 2026 work plan. CIMC Executive Officer Wallis Yakam said the meeting will serve as a major platform for aligning government and stakeholders on practical reforms. “This meeting is a pivotal platform for government, civil society, and the private sector to align on a roadmap that empowers our informal sector,” Yakam said. “By addressing policy gaps and the bottlenecks affecting the management of the informal economic sector, we are laying the foundation for sustainable growth for thousands of PNG families.” He added Media will be invited to attend a group photo session and follow up interviews with committee facilitators after the formal proceedings. The dialogue is expected to play a key role in shaping how Papua New Guinea regulates and supports its informal economy, which remains a major driver of livelihoods across the country.

National Volunteer Service has inducted 22 Community Health Worker (CHW) volunteers in Manus Province, marking a significant step in strengthening healthcare delivery in rural and remote communities. The induction program is part of efforts to improve access to essential health services across the province, particularly in hard-to-reach areas where staffing shortages continue to challenge service delivery. The week-long program, held from May 25 to 29, 2026, officially opened on Monday, May 25 at the Manus College of Health Sciences in Lorengau, Ward One. The opening was officiated by Manus Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive, Francis Possy. Manus Provincial Health Deputy Director for Public Health, Ella Michael, said the health sector remains committed to ensuring quality healthcare services reach all parts of the province. She reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to overcoming geographical barriers and improving access for isolated populations, noting that public-private partnerships remain a key strategy in addressing service gaps. Ms. Michael also acknowledged the National Volunteer Service as a key partner in supporting healthcare delivery in remote communities, particularly where health worker numbers remain limited. National Volunteer Service Director for the Volunteer Management Division, Kelly Aisi, said the initiative is designed to support short-term contract with Community Health Workers by formally inducting them as volunteers under NVS coordination. He explained that the program ensures CHWs can continue serving their communities safely while awaiting formal absorption into the government's payroll system. Frontline health worker Rachel Ramus welcomed the training, describing it as an important opportunity for professional growth and improved service delivery. She said it was her first time attending a volunteer induction and expressed enthusiasm about gaining new skills that would better equip her to serve rural communities across Manus Province. Over the course of the week, the 22 inductees will undergo training on NVS policies, community engagement, and volunteer ethics before deployment to their respective communities throughout the province.

National Volunteer Service has begun strengthening its partnership with West New Britain Province as part of efforts to expand professional volunteer placements across the province. The move follows the recent nationwide volunteer and partner organisation recruitment drive launched by the National Volunteer Service (NVS). The agency’s visit to West New Britain aims to revive long-standing partnerships while identifying opportunities to address priority service delivery needs in the province. The week-long engagement began with a courtesy visit to West New Britain Provincial Administrator Mr. Leo Mapmani and will also include meetings with the Provincial Management Team. Mr. Mapmani welcomed the initiative, describing the partnership as timely for the province as it continues to face growing socio-economic challenges. He said West New Britain continues to experience major service delivery gaps, particularly in remote communities, while rising youth unemployment has become an increasing concern for the provincial administration. Mr. Mapmani said collaboration with NVS could provide a sustainable solution by bringing skilled professionals into critical sectors such as education and healthcare while also creating meaningful opportunities for young people through volunteer service. A key part of the visit includes inspections at Moramora Technical School, which has been proposed as the future site of the NVS New Guinea Islands Regional Volunteer Academy. The academy is expected to serve as a training and orientation centre for volunteers deployed throughout the Islands region. NVS Acting Executive Director Jerry David said the proposed academy would deliver long-term economic and development benefits for the province. Mr. David said recent National Executive Council decisions in 2025 directed NVS to significantly increase volunteer placements nationwide, with West New Britain identified as a strategic location for the New Guinea Islands region. He explained that establishing the regional academy would not only provide short-term manpower support but also create a long-term pipeline of skilled professionals to support sectors such as health, education, and agriculture at the local level. The NVS team will continue stakeholder consultations and site inspections throughout the province this week while finalising the terms of a Memorandum of Agreement with the provincial government. The engagement forms part of the NVS Council’s broader 2026 target of increasing its workforce to 900 professional volunteers across Papua New Guinea, with volunteer placements tailored to the specific development needs of host provinces like West New Britain.

Prime Minister James Marape says the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Papua LNG project is expected to be announced this year following assurances from TotalEnergies. Prime Minister Marape made the announcement at Melanesian House in Port Moresby city yesterday after returning from a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron last week. The Prime Minister said the Government is now preparing for the project’s Development Forum, which is expected to begin between late June and early July 2026. The forum will involve local landowners, the Gulf Provincial Government, and Central Province stakeholders as part of the project consultation process. Prime Minister Marape confirmed that he met directly with TotalEnergies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patrick Pouyanne, who assured him that Papua LNG remains a priority project and would proceed. The Prime Minister urged project partners TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and Santos to resolve any internal issues and provide a united position to the State to ensure the 2026 timeline is achieved. Although Papua LNG is significantly smaller than some of the major projects operated by TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil overseas, Mr. Marape stressed that the development remains critically important to Papua New Guinea’s economy and future growth. He said the project has undergone major cost reviews to improve commercial viability. The original development cost was estimated at around US$18 billion, but after further assessment and a secondary bidding process, the projected cost was reduced to approximately US$14 billion. Prime Minister Marape said the Government had rejected calls for free concessions or additional incentives, maintaining what he described as a balanced “give-and-take” approach aimed at protecting the State’s share in the project. However, he added that the Government remains open to providing technical support where necessary. The Prime Minister also reassured the public that the key structure of the Papua LNG Gas Agreement signed in 2019 remains unchanged despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The original agreement was signed in April 2019 under the former O’Neill Government. Following the change in government later that year, the Marape-Steven administration reviewed the agreement in an effort to secure greater benefits for Papua New Guinea, including improved returns for landowners and provincial governments. After negotiations with TotalEnergies, the agreement was validated later in 2019 while retaining its core framework. Mr. Marape said TotalEnergies remains committed to the project but reminded the developers that time is limited, and the State expects the project to move forward within the agreed timeframe.

The National General Election is coming up next year and from here onwards, the prime minister says it’s time to seriously prepare to ensure a free, fair and safe election.Prime Minister James Marape says the Government is focused on ensuring productive Parliament Sittings for the remainder of the current Term while preparing the country for free, fair, and credible National Elections in 2027. Speaking during a Press Conference at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby yesterday, Prime Minister Marape said Parliament has limited Sitting Days remaining before the next National General Election and the Government intends to maximize the time available to complete important Legislative work. “Our Parliament Sitting Days are now running short for this Term, and we want to make full use of the remaining time to pass important Laws and conclude outstanding Government Business,” Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister confirmed that Cabinet would finalise the Legislative priorities for the Sitting this week when Parliament resumes.Marape also announced that the Government will soon convene a major Consultation involving the Electoral Commission, Political Parties, and Stakeholders to discuss Election preparations ahead of the 2027 National General Election. “There has been a lot of Public Commentary about Election preparations. I want to assure the country that our government stands ready to support the Electoral process to the best of our ability, so every citizen has a fair opportunity to Vote for Leaders of their choice,” he said. Prime Minister Marape said the Meeting would involve Government and Opposition Parties, Political Stakeholders outside Parliament, and interested Organisations to ensure transparency and preparedness. “We want an open process where all Stakeholders are informed and involved in preparations for the upcoming Election,” he stated. The Prime Minister reiterated that maintaining democratic continuity, political stability, and credible Electoral processes remain critical pillars of Papua New Guinea’s nationhood as the country moves beyond 50 years of Independence. 

Papua New Guinea’s lone representative to the Oceania International Invitational Wushu Championships, Tony Mitu Jr., returned home to Port Moresby on Monday (25/05/26) carrying the country’s first international medal in the sport of Wushu.Mitu Jr. won bronze in the men’s 70kg Sanda division at the championships held in Brisbane, Australia, from May 21st to 25th. The achievement marks a great milestone for the Kung Fu Wushu Association of Papua New Guinea (KFWA PNG), with the association celebrating the country’s first international medal in the sport. KFWA PNG President Geoff Hui praised the athlete’s performance. “This was his first international event, and also his first sanda competition and he came away with a medal, so we are really proud of him.” Tony was welcomed home at Jacksons International Airport by family, supporters and coach Andrew Molen, who commended the athlete’s commitment and discipline throughout more than a year of preparation. “Tony worked hard for over a year in training. We didn’t expect anything, we just wanted him to have the exposure and experience and use that to promote and build the sport in PNG, but now we have a medal so it’s a big motivation for us and I am very pleased.” The team travelled to the championships without sponsorship or formal funding support, relying mainly on personal resources and assistance from friends, colleagues and family members. Molen acknowledged the support provided by the Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Federation, Kung Fu Wushu Australia and High-Performance Sport PNG for specialist assistance during the campaign. Following the successful result, KFWA PNG said it is now focused on recruiting and developing more athletes to represent Papua New Guinea at future international competitions. The association is also appealing to corporate organisations and the government to support the development of Wushu programmes and athletes in the country. KFWA PNG thanked supporters who followed the team’s journey throughout the championships and called for continued support for the growth of the sport in Papua New Guinea.

The 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships wrapped up in Darwin on Saturday after six days of competition, with Team PNG producing several standout performances, including two new national records and a number of personal best results.Leading the charge was Lakona Gerega, who broke the national javelin record for the tenth time in his career, improving the mark by an impressive 3.35 metres.PNG’s men’s 4x100 metres relay team, made up of Pais Wisil, Timothy Tuna, Leroy Kamau and Daniel Baul, also set a new national record, improving on the time established in Palau last year.PNG Athletics President Tony Green said the focus of attending the championships was not solely on winning medals, but on giving athletes valuable international competition experience.Mr. Green explained that the team sent to Darwin was smaller than the squad that attended the 2024 championships due to rising costs associated with visas, travel, accommodation and meals, worsened by the declining value of the Papua New Guinea kina.He said with Australia and New Zealand fielding strong teams, PNG selected athletes capable of competing well and benefiting from the high-level competition. He also noted that several female athletes in the national squad were either not eligible for the Under-20 or Under-18 divisions or were still developing towards that level, with another competition being planned for them next month.Aside from the record-breaking performances, several athletes also impressed with strong individual results.Jiuteis Robinson delivered an outstanding performance in the 800 metres, competing strongly against experienced Australian runners and recording a major personal best time of 1 minute 50.26 seconds.Young sprinter Hephzibah Romalus also showed significant improvement in the women’s 100 metres, while veteran hurdler Robert Oa clocked a personal best of 14.40 seconds in the 110 metre hurdles against a quality field.Meanwhile, Daniel Baul once again impressed in the men’s 400 metres, posting an excellent time of 47.82 seconds in what was regarded as one of the strongest 400 metre races ever staged at the Oceania Championships. The first four athletes in the event all broke the previous championship record.Mr. Green said Baul’s performance was especially commendable given it was his first major race of the season.Seventeen-year-old Brisbane-based sprinter Ethan Asimba also made a strong impression, recording a personal best of 10.99 seconds in the 100 metres to claim a bronze medal in the Under-20 division against older competitors.Several members of the PNG squad preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games are expected to compete again at the Philippine Open in Clark City from June 10 to 14.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited has announced the appointment of Ben Burger as the new General Manager of its subsidiary, Misima Minerals Limited.Mr. Burger previously served as General Manager Operations at Ok Tedi after joining the company in 2024 during a major period of organisational transition. During his time in the role, he established the company’s new Operations Business Unit, provided strategic leadership and contributed as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.Under his leadership, Ok Tedi Operations achieved strong operational results between 2023 and 2025.Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kedi Ilimbit described the appointment as an important leadership step in progressing the operations of Misima Minerals Limited.Mr. Ilimbit said the achievements delivered by Mr. Burger and his operations team demonstrated his strong leadership abilities and expressed confidence that his experience would help guide Misima Minerals towards becoming an operating mine within the next two years.Mr. Burger said he was honoured to take on the position and remained committed to advancing the Misima Project for the benefit of the Ok Tedi Group and Papua New Guinea.He said Misima Minerals presents an important opportunity for the company’s future and he looked forward to working closely with employees, stakeholders, and partners to responsibly move the project towards operations in line with Ok Tedi’s Vision and Growth 2050 Strategy.Mr. Ilimbit also acknowledged Mr. Burger’s contribution to Ok Tedi Operations and wished him success in his new role leading Misima Minerals.Meanwhile, Mr. Alan Bong will step into the role of Acting General Manager Operations while continuing his current duties as General Manager Strategic Business Development and Optimisation.The company said Mr. Burger’s appointment reflects Ok Tedi’s ongoing focus on strong leadership, sustainable growth, and responsible management of its subsidiary operations.As Misima Minerals moves closer towards operational delivery, the leadership transition is expected to strengthen the implementation of the Ok Tedi Group’s long-term Vision and Growth 2050 Strategy.Mr. Ilimbit said the company remains focused on building leadership capacity, strengthening organisational capability, and ensuring alignment across the business to secure Ok Tedi’s future and deliver lasting value for Papua New Guinea.

The Connect PNG Programme continues to establish links for the remotest parts of the country to the main centers, enabling connectivity and economic growth.Prime Minister James Marape said the National Government’s flagship road and infrastructure programme is now delivering one of the largest roads and bridge expansion programmes in the country’s history. The Prime Minister highlighted major transport corridors currently being upgraded or connected, including: Lae to Port Moresby Port Moresby to Alotau Kimbe to Kokopo Wewak to Vanimo Major upgrades along the Highlands Highway from Lae to Mount Hagen and onward to Tari and Enga Province Kiunga to Telefomin He said similar infrastructure expansion is also taking place in Bougainville, Manus Province, and the New Ireland Province. “These are economic arteries for national growth and development. Papua New Guinea’s road network today is significantly more advanced than it was a decade ago,” the Prime Minister said.

The prime minister in highlighting the achievements of his government since taking office in 2019, says the government continues to focus on education with the aim to ensure young people have access to quality education and a brighter future.Prime Minister James Marape said the Pangu-led Marape-Rosso Government has delivered the largest education assistance programme since Independence in 1975 and continues to fund free education from elementary to secondary school level, including the removal of project fees in many schools to reduce pressure on parents.“Our government is paying free school fees from elementary all the way to secondary school because education is the biggest investment we can make into our future,” the Prime Minister said. At the tertiary level, the government continues supporting students through the Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme (HECAS), the Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS), and the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). The HELP student loan programme, administered through the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, has already assisted more than 20,000 tertiary students across 55 higher education institutions since its introduction, with more than K200 million in student loans approved between 2020 and 2025. The prime minister said the government has also expanded HELP to postgraduate, Masters, and PhD studies to help build Papua New Guinea’s future professional workforce. “We are now supporting undergraduate, postgraduate, Masters, and PhD students because we want Papua New Guinea to develop its own highly skilled workforce,” he said. This massive support in the education sector is a testament to the Pangu Pati’s values and focus, as the country prepares for the 2027 National General Election.

Papua New Guinea’s lone representative at the 2026 Oceania International Invitational Wushu Championships, Tony Mitu Jr, has secured a bronze medal in the men’s 70kg Sanda division in Brisbane, Australia.The championships, held in Chandler, Brisbane, began on May 21 and conclude today, with Mitu proudly carrying Papua New Guinea’s flag as the country’s sole competitor at the regional tournament. Speaking after his performance, Mitu thanked Papua New Guineans for the overwhelming support and encouragement he received throughout the competition. “Before wearing the national colours, I used to watch other Papua New Guinea athletes proudly represent the country while everyone back home cheered them on. This time I experienced that myself, and it was a humbling experience.” Mitu said the support motivated him to give his best in the ring despite facing a difficult opponent from China in the bronze medal bout. “All glory goes to Papa God. I have learned much from this and I look forward to the next challenge,” he said. Mitu’s coach, Andrew Molen, was unable to attend the championships after delays in the processing of his Australian visa application prevented him from travelling. Despite the setback, Molen praised Mitu’s efforts, saying the athlete performed strongly against an opponent with a height and weight advantage. “He fought well despite his opponent’s height and weight advantage. We had a strategy for the match but it’s difficult to manage that from another country.” “It was Tony’s first time, so he needed that close support. I’m happy with him but disappointed about the visa delays.” Molen also acknowledged the support shown by family members, friends, teammates and the public, saying their encouragement played a major role in motivating the young fighter. Special recognition was also given to Samoan athlete Asomua Saili, who assisted Mitu during the tournament in Brisbane. Saili also impressed at the championships, winning silver in the men’s 85kg Sanda division. President of the Kung Fu Wushu Association of Papua New Guinea, Geoff Hui, called the tournament a valuable learning experience for both Mitu and the association. Hui acknowledged the Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Federation and Kung Fu Wushu Australia for helping make Papua New Guinea’s participation possible. He said the experience would help strengthen future programmes for the sport in Papua New Guinea.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited has officially brought its 2026 90-Day Live Well Campaign to a close with an energetic walkathon that united employees in promoting health, wellness, and teamwork.The event was spearheaded by former Papua New Guinea rugby league star Justin Olam and attracted enthusiastic participation from staff and business partners throughout the operation.The walkathon highlighted the strong spirit and collective commitment of participants towards healthier living, marking the end of a 90-day initiative centred on discipline, resilience and prioritising people’s wellbeing.As part of the campaign finale, awards were also presented to winners of the 90-day Futsal competition, recognising teams and individuals for their dedication, fitness and teamwork. The competition became one of the campaign’s standout activities, helping to strengthen workplace relationships while encouraging active lifestyles and collaboration.Throughout the three-month program, the Live Well Campaign encouraged positive lifestyle changes across the company. A key feature of the initiative was the introduction of the Live Well App, which allowed employees to set personal goals, monitor activities and access information on fitness, nutrition, and mental wellbeing.Ok Tedi Health Services Manager Raymond Singamis said the campaign’s success reflected a growing awareness among employees about the importance of maintaining their health and wellbeing.Mr. Singamis said the initiative demonstrated what could be achieved when workers were provided with the right support systems and resources.He added that the strong participation from the launch through to the final walkathon highlighted a positive shift towards healthier living within the workforce.Speaking during the closing event, Mr. Olam praised employees for their commitment and consistency throughout the campaign and encouraged them to continue practising healthy habits beyond the 90 days.Mr. Olam said maintaining good health was important not only for individuals, but also for their families, communities and future.The conclusion of the 2026 90-Day Live Well Campaign further reinforces Ok Tedi’s commitment to creating a safer, healthier and more productive workforce. Employees are now being encouraged to continue using the Live Well App to maintain the positive lifestyle changes achieved during the campaign.