AGP Executive Report

5G Rollout: Papua New Guinea’s telecom regulator has cleared the way for commercial 5G, confirming spectrum is ready for licensing in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands—giving operators the regulatory certainty to plan deployments, though coverage won’t be instant nationwide. Digital Inclusion: At the Alliance for Financial Inclusion forum in Port Moresby, PNG leaders stressed that access alone isn’t enough—financial services must be safe and trusted, with digital tools helping reach rural communities. Governance & Tech Skills: A PNG leadership programme for State-owned enterprise directors and NICTA staff returned after governance training in Australia, focusing on board effectiveness, risk oversight and inclusive leadership. Biodiversity Discovery: Researchers report a new walking shark species off PNG, with a very small known range and conservation concerns. Science & Community Tech: PNG’s online radio push continues, with Revival Centres launching “Voice of Revival” to reach remote communities using technology. Research Funding Boost: IBS University named Daltron PNG as Gold Sponsor for PNG Global Connect 2027, a climate resilience and AI-focused research conference in Port Moresby.

Digital Connectivity: PNG’s telecom regulator has cleared the way for 5G by making 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum available for licensing, aiming to speed up next-generation mobile rollout. Digital Identity & Elections: A push is growing for biometric voter verification to reduce multiple voting and impersonation, while keeping the secret ballot and focusing on policing and justice to tackle election violence. Financial Inclusion: PNG’s central bank and BSP are stressing that inclusion isn’t just about accounts—it needs safe, trusted services people can actually use, with digital payments and mobile banking highlighted as key tools. Governance & Capacity Building: Kumul Consolidated Holdings and the Australian government brought PNG State-owned enterprise and NICTA leaders back after governance training in Australia, with mentoring to follow. Research & Innovation: IBS University announced major sponsorship for PNG Global Connect 2027, a Port Moresby conference focused on climate resilience, AI, innovation and inclusive growth. Science in PNG: Researchers and local fishers have rediscovered the rare Spinach Pipefish in the Sepik after decades, showing how community knowledge can unlock biodiversity surprises.

5G Rollout: Papua New Guinea’s telecom regulator (NICTA) has cleared spectrum in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands for licensing, a key step toward wider next-gen mobile services. Digital ID & Elections: PNG is also beginning a first large-scale digital ID rollout for public servants, while separate reporting argues biometrics should support voter verification without replacing the secret ballot. Financial Inclusion: Bank South Pacific and the Bank of Papua New Guinea used the AFI Global Policy Forum in Port Moresby to stress that digital payments can expand access, but only a safe, trusted system delivers real inclusion. Governance Training: Kumul Consolidated Holdings and the Australian Institute of Company Directors ran a leadership programme for PNG SOE and NICTA leaders, focusing on board effectiveness and risk oversight. Culture + Tech in Travel: Air Niugini is backing the Hiri Hanenamo quest with a winners’ cruise across Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Science in PNG Waters: Researchers have rediscovered the rare Spinach Pipefish in the Sepik River after decades, with local knowledge helping confirm the species. Health Focus: NCDPHA in Port Moresby is pushing lifestyle medicine and stronger primary care to tackle rising non-communicable diseases.

5G Rollout: PNG has cleared the way for 5G mobile services after NICTA confirmed spectrum in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands is now available for licensing, a milestone for next-gen networks and investment. Digital ID Push: PNG is moving ahead with its first large-scale digital ID rollout for public servants, with a December 31 deadline and agency data-prep steps aimed at tackling duplicate and “ghost” payroll records. Biometrics for Elections: A new policy argument says biometrics could strengthen voter verification and the electoral roll, but should support the secret ballot rather than replace it, alongside better policing and justice. Financial Inclusion Tech: Bank South Pacific and the Bank of Papua New Guinea both stress that digital payments and mobile banking can expand inclusion, but only if services are safe, trusted, and usable during crises. Governance Training: PNG’s State-owned enterprise and NICTA leaders have returned after governance training in Australia, focused on board effectiveness, risk oversight, and inclusive leadership. Science & Nature: A rare Spinach Pipefish has been rediscovered in the Sepik River after decades, with local knowledge helping researchers confirm the species. Health & Prevention: Port Moresby’s NCDPHA is promoting lifestyle medicine and stronger primary care to tackle rising non-communicable diseases. Culture & Media: Air Niugini is sponsoring the Hiri Hanenamo quest, while Revival Centres of PNG launched an online radio station to reach remote communities. Earthquakes: A 5.7-magnitude quake struck Papua New Guinea, adding to a busy week of seismic activity.

5G Rollout: PNG has cleared the way for 5G by making 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum available for licensing, giving mobile operators regulatory certainty to plan and invest in next-gen networks. Digital Identity: PNG is moving ahead with its first large-scale digital ID rollout for public servants, with a December 31 deadline to issue digital IDs and plans to verify records against payroll to tackle duplicate or “ghost” entries. Financial Inclusion: At the Alliance for Financial Inclusion forum in Port Moresby, leaders stressed that access alone isn’t enough—financial systems must be safe and trusted, and digital payments are key for rural households and small businesses. Governance & Skills: State-owned enterprise and NICTA leaders returned after governance training in Australia, focused on board effectiveness, risk oversight and inclusive leadership. Aviation Training: PNG’s civil aviation regulator received commendation from Air Niugini after inspectors earned Airbus A220 certification, boosting local oversight capacity. Climate & Oceans: Pacific Forum leaders backed stronger action to protect climate-resilient coral reefs and pushed coordinated regional positions on oceans, fisheries and deep-sea minerals. Earth News: A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck PNG at shallow depth, adding to a busy week of seismic activity.

Digital ID Rollout: PNG is moving ahead with its first large-scale digital ID push for public servants, with a December 31 deadline and agency prep due by October 31 to support payroll integrity and cut “ghost employee” records. Financial Inclusion: Bank South Pacific CEO Mark Robinson says digital payments are already expanding inclusion and resilience across rural PNG and the South Pacific, while Bank of PNG governor Elizabeth Genia stresses inclusion only works when the system is safe and trusted—not just when people can open accounts. Governance Training: State-owned enterprise and NICTA leaders returned to PNG after AICD training in Brisbane and Canberra, focused on board effectiveness, risk oversight and inclusive leadership. Elections & Biometrics: A new push argues biometrics should strengthen voter verification and the electoral roll, but must not replace the secret ballot and needs stronger oversight to protect public trust. Earthquake Watch: A 5.7-magnitude quake hit PNG (depth 10 km), adding to a busy week of seismic activity. Health & Prevention: NCDPHA in Port Moresby is promoting lifestyle medicine and stronger primary care to tackle rising non-communicable diseases. Faith Tech: Revival Centres of PNG launched an online radio and TV station in Port Moresby to reach remote communities using digital broadcasting.

Climate & Disaster Watch: Papua New Guinea is bracing for the strongest El Niño on record, with Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology warning heat extremes are likely to surpass past levels, while UN updates say it could persist into early 2027 and hit communities hard. Earthquakes: A 5.7-magnitude quake struck PNG at about 2004 GMT, with the epicentre reported by GFZ at 10 km depth. Digital ID & Public Service: PNG has set a December 31 deadline for every public servant to receive a digital ID, aiming to cut duplicate and “ghost” payroll records under the One Person, One Position, One Pay policy. Elections & Biometrics: A policy push argues biometrics can strengthen voter verification and the electoral roll, but should not replace the secret ballot and must be paired with policing and oversight. Media & Connectivity: Revival Centres of PNG launched an online radio and TV station in Port Moresby, using tech to reach remote communities. Health Systems: NCDPHA is promoting lifestyle medicine and stronger primary care to tackle rising non-communicable diseases in Port Moresby. Aviation Skills: PNG’s civil aviation regulator received commendation after inspectors achieved Airbus A220 certification with Air Niugini support. Carbon & Forests: PNG is advancing carbon trading rules and jurisdictional REDD+ work, positioning rainforests as a potential future export economy.

Digital Identity Rollout: PNG has set a December 31 deadline to issue digital IDs to every public servant, with agencies preparing staff records by October 31 to support “One Person, One Position, One Pay” and cut ghost or duplicate payrolls. Public Service Aviation Skills: PNG’s civil aviation regulator (CASA) earned Air Niugini commendation after two inspectors certified on the Airbus A220, strengthening local oversight capacity for newer aircraft. Biometrics Oversight: A new governance push argues police use of facial recognition needs stronger senior oversight, clear record-keeping, proper sourcing, and accuracy checks—urging oversight boards to treat AI-enabled biometrics as a standing agenda item. Disaster & Safety Tech: A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck PNG (10 km depth), while PNG also faces infrastructure safety pressure as the revised seismic design manual flags bridges like Markham as hazardous and calls for redesigns. Health System Accountability: PNG’s Health Minister is calling for stronger Provincial Health Authorities, better leadership and supply reforms, and measurable results after 20 years of PHA reforms. Consumer Protection: The ICCC plans to place agents in every province over five years to handle complaints and monitor compliance more closely. Science & Research: Great Pacific Gold reported broad, shallow gold intercepts from its Kavasuki drill program in East New Britain, adding detail to its Wild Dog project targets. Regional Tech Diplomacy: PNG and Niue signed a framework agreement covering development and technical cooperation, including digital development among other sectors.

WW2 Repatriation: American servicemen who died in Papua New Guinea during World War II are finally being returned to families after more than 80 years, with US Defence POW/MIA investigators working alongside local PNG teams to recover remains in East New Britain and New Ireland. Pacific Tech Cooperation: PNG and Niue sign a framework agreement to expand development and technical cooperation across areas including health, education, agriculture, climate resilience, infrastructure and digital development. Broadcast & Media Tech: Revival Centres of Papua New Guinea launches its Voice of Revival digital radio and television station in Port Moresby, built with support from NICTA and technical teams from Australia, now operating for radio and camera plus podcasting. Health Accountability: PNG Health Minister Dr Billy Joseph calls for stronger Provincial Health Authorities, pushing a 120-day plan focused on leadership, medical supplies, infrastructure, workforce and pre-hospital care. Consumer Protection Rollout: ICCC says it plans to place agents in every province over the next five years to handle complaints and monitor compliance more closely. Mining & Data for Growth: Taruga Minerals reports new gold-silver exploration results in PNG’s Weioko Gold District, while Great Pacific Gold releases drill results from the Kavasuki target on its Wild Dog Project. Digital Sovereignty: Kumul Consolidated Holdings and Datatec back the Kumul Cloud Infinity push for “sovereign trust,” aiming to keep key national data and services under PNG control.

Pacific Governance & Security: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Palau is off to a shaky start, with multiple leaders absent and China reportedly furious over Taiwan’s representation, raising fresh questions about how outside influence can steer regional decisions. PNG Consumer Protection: PNG’s ICCC says it plans to place agents in every province over the next five years to handle complaints, monitor compliance, and strengthen enforcement closer to communities. Health System Accountability: Health Minister Dr Billy Joseph is pushing stronger Provincial Health Authorities, citing gaps in skilled births, immunisation, TB control, and reports that many health facilities remain closed, alongside a 120-day action plan. Infrastructure Safety: PNG Works and Highways officials say climate impacts and updated seismic bridge standards mean major redesigns are needed, including Markham Bridge, with JICA support flagged. Digital Sovereignty: Kumul Cloud Infinity is being positioned as a “sovereign trust” move to keep key PNG data and services under local control. Science in PNG: The Spinach Pipefish has been rediscovered in the Sepik after more than 40 years, with local communities helping locate the species. Mining Tech Update: Great Pacific Gold reports broad, shallow gold intercepts from diamond drilling at Kavasuki on its Wild Dog Project in East New Britain.

Mining & Geology: Great Pacific Gold says its maiden diamond drilling at Kavasuki on PNG’s Wild Dog Project returned multiple broad, shallow gold hits, including 58.90m @ 2.43 g/t Au and 38.40m @ 2.07 g/t Au, with higher-grade pockets also reported—setting up a near-surface targeting push. Health Systems: PNG Health Minister Dr Billy Joseph is calling for stronger Provincial Health Authorities, tighter accountability, and a 120-day plan after noting gaps like low routine immunisation, high TB rates, and hundreds of closed health facilities. Consumer Protection: The ICCC plans to place agents in every PNG province under a five-year plan, using provincial partnerships to handle complaints and monitor compliance more closely. Transport Safety: PNG Works and Highways flags Markham Bridge as a safety hazard after a revised seismic design manual, pointing to earthquake impacts and higher traffic loads tied to the Wafi-Golpu corridor. Digital Sovereignty: Kumul Consolidated Holdings and Datatec are pushing “Sovereign Cloud Infinity” to keep key national data and services under PNG control. Regional Tech & Policy: The Pacific Islands Forum in Palau is off to a shaky start over missing leaders and China-Taiwan tensions, while WHO urges Pacific countries to prepare for bird flu.

Sovereign Cloud & AI: PNG’s Kumul Consolidated Holdings is partnering with Datatec to build “Kumul Cloud Infinity,” aiming to keep national data and digital services under PNG control. Bougainville Referendum: Parliament debates the 2019 independence vote after results were tabled, with MPs urging careful legal scrutiny and broad consultations before any next step. Deep-sea mining risk: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown says the region should stick to science and caution as a new report warns stronger seabed mining rules could trigger costly investor-state disputes, naming PNG among exposed countries. Mining tech for PNG: Metso has been selected to supply process technology packages for the New Simberi Gold Project Expansion, targeting higher throughput and gold output. Health research upgrade: UH Cancer Center’s Body Composition Shared Resource Laboratory received IAEA Collaborating Centre status to standardize nuclear and radiological body composition assessments. Education & law: PNG Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026 to modernize governance and autonomy. Biodiversity find: PNG’s Sepik River spinach pipefish was rediscovered after 40 years, with local communities helping locate the species.

Sovereign Cloud Push: Kumul Consolidated Holdings is partnering with Datatec to build “Kumul Cloud Infinity,” aiming to keep PNG’s key data, systems and digital services under local control. Bougainville Governance: Parliament debates the 2019 Bougainville independence referendum results, with MPs urging careful legal scrutiny and broad consultation before any next step. Fisheries Transparency: Sixteen nations, including Papua New Guinea, back the Mombasa Declaration to curb illegal fishing using low-cost transparency reforms like better vessel and licensing information. Climate & Food Risks: Sri Lanka is flagged for “elevated concern” as El Niño strengthens, with experts warning of a possible dry-to-wet shift that could bring both flooding and economic pressure. Health Tech Upgrade: The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center’s Body Composition Shared Resource Laboratory received an IAEA Collaborating Centre designation to standardise nutrition-focused body composition assessment methods. PNG Research Win: The Spinach Pipefish (Microphis spinachioides) was rediscovered in the Sepik after 40 years, with local community fishers helping locate the species. Mining Tech for PNG: Metso is set to supply process technology packages for the New Simberi Gold Project Expansion, targeting higher throughput and gold output. Education & Campus Tech Culture: UPNG students ran a campus cleanathon, while the government also moved to modernise Pacific Adventist University’s legal framework to strengthen governance and accountability.

Education & Research: Education Minister Francis Siune urged universities to back PNG’s human capital priorities while congratulating Divine Word University on its 30th anniversary, stressing quality teaching, research, innovation and tech-ready graduates. Campus Life: Over 50 UPNG students joined a voluntary cleanathon at Waigani, led by a law student, pushing civic duty and a cleaner learning environment. Sovereign Digital Infrastructure: Kumul Consolidated Holdings and Datatec backed “Kumul Cloud Infinity” to keep key national data and services under PNG control. Health Tech & Training: The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center’s Body Composition Laboratory received IAEA Collaborating Centre status, supporting standardized nuclear-based body composition assessment and training through 2030. Science in PNG: The Spinach Pipefish was rediscovered in the Sepik after 40+ years, with local fishers and community members helping locate and document the species. Policy & Governance: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, updating the legal framework for governance and autonomy. Energy & Industry: PNG signed a revised Papua LNG agreement with a 15 Dec 2026 deadline for Final Investment Decision, aiming to protect the state’s fiscal interests while improving project viability.

Bougainville Referendum in Parliament: Opposition MP James Nomane says the 2019 independence vote is the “most consequential question” PNG MPs will ever face, urging unity, careful legal review and broad consultations before any final decision. Pacific Islands Forum climate push: Leaders head to Palau expecting tough questions for Australia on emissions and fossil fuel expansion, with the summit framed around turning foreign attention into real climate and development action. Bird flu preparedness: WHO urges Pacific countries to strengthen surveillance and One Health coordination as H5N1 spreads in animals, warning of spillover risk to people. Sepik science win: PNG’s Spinach Pipefish (lost for 40+ years) has been rediscovered in the Lower Sepik River through surveys led with local communities. PNG LNG deal update: Government signs a revised Papua LNG Project Agreement, targeting a Final Investment Decision by 15 December 2026 with a temporary, capped fiscal support mechanism. Digital printing for PNG: Konica Minolta backs BizPrint’s first AccurioPress C12010S installation in the Pacific to expand local production capacity. Agriculture and trade momentum: PNG’s Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka brings farmers, standards bodies and trade agencies together to boost market access and value-chain research. New Guinea biodiversity: Scientists describe a genetically distinct new groundsnake species from threatened New Guinea forest habitat.

Pacific Islands Forum: Climate and development are set to dominate the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, with leaders pressing Australia to speed up emissions cuts and phase out coal and gas. Public Health: WHO is urging Pacific countries to prepare for bird flu (H5N1), warning that new detections in Australia and New Zealand raise the risk of spread to the wider region and humans. Bougainville Process: PNG MPs are being urged to handle the Bougainville referendum outcome with “careful deliberation,” with the Prime Minister stressing the decision is not self-executing and Parliament has the final constitutional role. PNG Economy & Agriculture: PNG’s Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka is bringing farmers, standards bodies and trade agencies together to push market access and fresh research into the fresh produce value chain. Energy & Industry Tech: PNG signed a revised Papua LNG Project Agreement, setting a Final Investment Decision deadline of 15 December 2026, while Simberi Gold ordered major processing equipment from Metso for its New Simberi expansion. Education & Governance: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, modernising governance and accountability for the institution. Health Tech Gap: A report highlights Bulolo Hospital’s world-class medical equipment sitting unused due to staffing shortages, calling out a serious capability gap.