AGP Executive Report

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.

Sovereign Cloud & AI: Datec PNG has launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, a PNG-based cloud and AI data centre built with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma—aimed at in-country hosting for businesses and government. Public Health Preparedness: WHO is urging Pacific countries to prepare for bird flu (H5N1), highlighting recent detections in Australia and New Zealand and calling for strong “One Health” coordination. Bougainville Process: Opposition MP James Nomane says the 2019 Bougainville referendum is the “most consequential” question for Parliament, urging careful legal scrutiny and national unity as the decision is formally before lawmakers. Climate & Food Risks: El Niño is being linked to wider economic disruption, with knock-on effects for agriculture and supply chains. Agriculture & Trade: PNG’s Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka (28–30 Aug) is bringing farmers, standards bodies and trade agencies together to push market access and value growth. Energy Project Update: PNG signed a revised Papua LNG agreement, setting a deadline for Final Investment Decision by 15 Dec 2026. Mining Tech: Metso has won about €10m for Simberi Gold’s expansion, supplying processing equipment for higher output.

New Guinea Biodiversity: Scientists have identified a new New Guinea groundsnake, Lielaphis slashi, named for Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, highlighting threatened forest habitat and the value of local field work. PNG Agriculture & Trade: The PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival 2026 in Goroka (28–30 Aug) is bringing farmers, processors, standards bodies and trade agencies together to push market access, quality requirements and partnerships. Financial Reform: Bank of PNG outlined a reform agenda focused on stability, inclusion and investment, including inflation outlook and strengthening banking, payments and supervision. Energy & Industry: PNG signed a revised Papua LNG Project Agreement with a December 15, 2026 deadline for Final Investment Decision, aiming to protect the State’s fiscal interests while improving commercial viability. Digital Infrastructure: Datec PNG launched a sovereign cloud and AI data centre, Kumul Cloud Infinity, in partnership with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma. Higher Education Governance: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, modernising governance and accountability for the university. Mining Expansion: Metso won about €10m for Simberi Gold’s New Simberi expansion, supplying processing equipment to boost output. Health Systems Gap: A report from Bulolo Hospital questions why world-class medical equipment sits unused due to staffing shortfalls.

Agriculture & Trade: PNG’s Agriculture and Trade Festival 2026 in Goroka (28–30 Aug) is set to bring farmers, processors, standards bodies and trade agencies together, with consultations on quality requirements and Economic Partnership Agreement talks with the UAE. Finance Reform: Bank of PNG outlines a reform agenda focused on stability, inclusion and investment, including inflation targets and changes across banking regulation, payments, foreign exchange and prudential supervision. Education Links: Indonesia is inviting PNG universities to expand partnerships and joint research, with an education exhibition planned in Port Moresby in late September. Energy & LNG: PNG signed a revised Papua LNG Project Agreement, setting a firm Final Investment Decision deadline of 15 Dec 2026 and adding a capped, temporary fiscal support mechanism plus an option for a State nominee to take an extra 2.5% interest. Digital Infrastructure: Datec PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, a sovereign cloud and AI data centre in partnership with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma. Higher Education Law: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, modernising governance and autonomy for the university. Security Planning: NCD Metropolitan Police Command unveiled a security strategy for Port Moresby ahead of major international events and the 2027 national general election.

Telecom & Fintech: Telikom wins a Payment Service Provider Licence from the Bank of Papua New Guinea, clearing the way for Telikom Financial Services to launch nationwide digital wallet services. Cloud & AI Infrastructure: Datec PNG inaugurates Kumul Cloud Infinity, a sovereign cloud and AI data centre built with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma, aiming to bring hosting and enterprise services in-country. Higher Education Policy: PNG Parliament unanimously passes the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, replacing the 1997 Act to modernise governance, accountability and autonomy for the university. Mining & Processing Tech: Metso lands about €10m (C$16.15m) in equipment orders for Simberi Gold’s New Simberi expansion, including Vertimill regrind milling, flotation and concentrate dewatering tech. Agriculture Research & Trade: NARI and IFPRI begin socio-economy research on PNG’s fresh produce value chain, training enumerators and targeting policy papers to cut inefficiencies and boost domestic supply and exports. Public Safety Tech: NCD police roll out a security plan for 2027 national general election, with quarterly major operations and tighter enforcement around public order.

Sovereign cloud & AI: Datec PNG has launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, a PNG-based cloud and AI data centre built with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma, aiming to bring in-country hosting and enterprise services. Digital payments: Telikom has received a Payment Service Provider Licence from the Bank of Papua New Guinea, clearing the way for nationwide mobile wallet services via Telikom coverage. Print tech upgrade: Konica Minolta Australia backed BizPrint’s first AccurioPress C12010S installation in the Pacific, boosting local production capacity for labels, packaging and on-demand marketing. Education law: PNG Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, modernising governance and autonomy for the private university. Health systems gap: A Bulolo Hospital report highlights world-class medical equipment sitting unused because of staffing shortages, including no doctors on site. Agriculture & trade research: NARI and IFPRI are running socio-economic research on PNG’s fresh produce value chain to identify bottlenecks and policy options. Regional resilience: Pacific nations met in Honiara to push coordinated geohazard and tsunami resilience, including better monitoring and data sharing.

Sovereign Cloud & AI: Datec PNG has launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, a PNG-based cloud and AI data centre built with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma, aiming to boost in-country hosting and enterprise services. Digital Finance: Telikom cleared a key regulator step with a Payment Service Provider Licence, paving the way for nationwide digital wallet services via Telikom’s network. Print Tech Upgrade: BizPrint (Remington Group) installed the first Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12010S production press in the Pacific, expanding local high-end digital printing capacity. Biosecurity Testing: A PNG civil engineer is gaining hands-on experience delivering the PNG Biosecurity Authority’s new PCR suite in Port Moresby under Australia’s ESIP. Higher Education Law: Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, replacing the 1997 act to modernise governance and accountability. Regional Resilience: Pacific nations met in Honiara to coordinate geohazard and tsunami resilience, focusing on better monitoring, data sharing, and early warning systems. Environment & Research: Scientists rediscovered PNG’s spinach pipefish after nearly 40 years, with local community help guiding surveys.

Sovereign Cloud & AI: Datec PNG has launched Kumul Cloud Infinity in Port Moresby, a sovereign cloud and AI data centre built with Telikom PNG and CloudSigma, aiming to bring in-country hosting and enterprise services. Higher Education Law: PNG Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, replacing the 1997 Act and modernising governance, accountability and autonomy for the university. Public Safety: NCD Metropolitan Police unveiled a security plan for 2027 national general election preparations, including quarterly major operations and clearer enforcement roles tied to court orders. Digital Finance: Telikom cleared a key step toward nationwide mobile wallet services after receiving a Payment Service Provider Licence from the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Health Tech: Port Moresby General Hospital received the country’s first Halcyon Linear Accelerator, moving PNG closer to nationwide specialised cancer radiation treatment. Tech Jobs: Simberi Gold is recruiting a Data Entry Clerk to support rollout and training for its Borealis system. Biodiversity & Research: PNG scientists helped rediscover the long-lost spinach pipefish in the Sepik River, with local community support guiding the search.

Education & Skills: PNG Parliament unanimously passed the Pacific Adventist University Bill 2026, replacing the 1997 Act to modernise governance, strengthen accountability, and give PAU more autonomy to build a future-ready workforce. Digital Learning: Port Moresby Business College launched a new website as part of its push for digital transformation and easier course and enrolment access. Health Tech: Port Moresby General Hospital received PNG’s first Halcyon Linear Accelerator, moving the Comprehensive Cancer Centre closer to starting nationwide radiation treatment. Telecoms & Fintech: Telikom got a Payment Service Provider Licence to roll out mobile wallet services nationwide, aiming to bring remote communities into the formal financial system. Network Infrastructure: Telikom and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing pact, including a “bill and keep” model to cut cross-network call and text costs. Science & Research: UPNG hosted a science fair showcasing student research and innovations. Biosecurity & Labs: PNG’s first specialised PCR suite is being delivered in Port Moresby to strengthen pest and disease detection. Environment & Nature: Scientists rediscovered the spinach pipefish in the Sepik River after nearly 40 years, with local community help. Sovereign Data: DATEC launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, PNG’s first sovereign cloud and AI data centre.

Mobile Money Expansion: Telikom has received a Payment Service Provider Licence from the Bank of Papua New Guinea, clearing the way for Telikom Financial Services to launch nationwide digital wallet services. Telecom Infrastructure: Telikom PNG and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing pact, agreeing to share towers and fibre and move to a “bill and keep” interconnection model to cut cross-network call and text costs. Biosecurity Tech: PNG’s first specialised PCR suite is moving ahead in Port Moresby under the PNG Biosecurity Authority, with civil engineering trainee Elijah Ambelye gaining hands-on experience building the lab capability to detect pests and diseases. Cancer Care Upgrade: Port Moresby General Hospital received the country’s first Halcyon Linear Accelerator, setting up advanced radiation treatment as the Comprehensive Cancer Centre ramps toward services later this year. Government Leadership: Three new Permanent Secretaries were sworn in, including David Teika Dennis (Finance and Treasury), Trevor Unusu (Police, National Security and Correctional Services) and Bunyan Sivoro (Culture and Tourism). Science & Nature: UPNG hosted a science fair, while PNG researchers also rediscovered the long-missing spinach pipefish in the Sepik River with help from local communities. Education Digital Push: Port Moresby Business College launched a new website as part of its digital transformation push.

Sovereign AI push: PNG has officially launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, its first AI data centre, with Datec PNG and Telikom PNG aiming to keep data onshore and support government, SOEs and private AI workloads. Education digitisation: Port Moresby Business College unveiled a new website as part of its 2026–2029 push for digital transformation and better course access. Biosecurity infrastructure: A young PNG engineer is gaining hands-on experience building the Biosecurity Authority’s new PCR suite in Port Moresby to speed pest and disease identification. Telecom coverage boost: Telikom PNG and Vodafone PNG signed a network-sharing pact, including tower and fibre sharing, plus a “bill and keep” model to cut cross-network call costs. Health milestone: PMGH received PNG’s first Halcyon Linear Accelerator for advanced cancer radiation treatment, supporting the Comprehensive Cancer Centre rollout. Biodiversity finds: Researchers rediscovered the spinach pipefish in the Sepik River after nearly 40 years, guided by local communities. Science meets pop culture: A newly described New Guinea snake was named Lielaphis slashi after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.

Telecom Upgrade: Telikom PNG and Vodafone PNG have signed a network-sharing pact, agreeing to share towers and fibre and switch to a “bill and keep” interconnection model that should cut cross-network call and text costs. Health Tech: Port Moresby General Hospital received PNG’s first Halcyon Linear Accelerator, a major step toward nationwide cancer radiation treatment and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre. AI & Data Sovereignty: Datec PNG, with Telikom PNG, launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, PNG’s first sovereign cloud and AI data centre, built for onshore data processing and AI workloads. Transport Tech: Ela Motors unveiled the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 petrol hybrid for PNG, adding a twin-turbo hybrid powertrain with higher power and torque. Infrastructure: Gurney Airport in Alotau officially opened after a K76.8m upgrade supported by the Asian Development Bank, boosting safety and capacity for Milne Bay connectivity. Science & Nature: Researchers rediscovered the long-lost spinach pipefish in the Sepik River with help from local communities, and a new New Guinea snake species was named Lielaphis slashi after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. Engineering Standards: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk guidance for safer infrastructure planning and construction.

Marine Discovery: A remotely operated robot off PNG found a hot hydrothermal vent just centimeters from a methane seep near Lihir, a rare pairing that could reshape how scientists understand deep-sea volcanic systems. Biodiversity Spotlight: PNG’s “lost fish” has been rediscovered after more than four decades, with local Sepik River communities helping guide the search. Aviation & Infrastructure: Gurney Airport in Alotau officially reopened after a K76.8m upgrade under PNG’s Civil Aviation Development Investment Project Phase II, boosting safety, capacity and connectivity for Milne Bay. AI & Data Sovereignty: Datec PNG and Telikom PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, PNG’s first sovereign cloud and AI data center, built to keep data onshore. Engineering Standards: PNG released a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk and engineering requirements nationwide. Tech & Connectivity: PNG DataCo and Digicel PNG signed a five-year bandwidth and network support deal to expand capacity and prepare for 5G. Science in the Spotlight: A new New Guinea snake species was named Lielaphis slashi after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, highlighting how much biodiversity still remains undocumented.

Deep-sea science: Off Papua New Guinea, a remotely operated robot found a hot hydrothermal vent sitting just centimeters from a cool methane seep near Lihir—an unusual pairing that could reshape how scientists understand underwater volcanic systems. Sovereign cloud & AI: PNG officially launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, its first sovereign cloud and AI data centre, built to keep data onshore and run AI workloads locally. Aviation infrastructure: Gurney Airport in Alotau opened after a K76.8m upgrade supported by the Asian Development Bank, adding a new terminal, safer airfield works, and improved capacity for Milne Bay connectivity. Digital printing: BizPrint introduced a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12010S—described as the first digital press of its kind in the Pacific—to boost industrial-scale print quality and automation. Engineering standards: PNG released a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk inputs and engineering requirements for safer infrastructure nationwide. Biodiversity spotlight: A new New Guinea snake species, Lielaphis slashi (“Slash’s groundsnake”), was named after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. Connectivity for mobile networks: PNG DataCo and Digicel PNG signed a five-year bandwidth and network support deal to expand capacity and prepare for future services like 5G.

Aviation Infrastructure: Gurney Airport in Alotau officially opened after a K76.8m upgrade supported by the Asian Development Bank, adding a new terminal, runway and airfield lighting, standby power, water facilities, staff housing and cargo storage to boost safety and Milne Bay connectivity. Sovereign Cloud & AI: Datec PNG and Telikom PNG launched Kumul Cloud Infinity, PNG’s first sovereign cloud and AI data centre, built for onshore data storage and AI workloads with NVIDIA H200 GPU capability. Digital Printing: BizPrint introduced a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12010S, billed as the first industrial-size digital press in the Pacific, aiming to replace traditional offset printing with faster, consistent production. Engineering Standards: PNG released a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk inputs and engineering requirements using newer hazard assessment data. Biodiversity & Science: A New Guinea groundsnake was named Lielaphis slashi after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, highlighting how much of the region’s wildlife remains undocumented. Education Links: India’s High Commissioner says 1,000+ PNG students are studying in India and a “Study in India” roadshow is planned for September. Regional Tech & Research: ANU and UPNG visited Milne Bay to study long-ago human movement using archaeological remains, with findings promised back to local communities. Earthquakes: A 5.8-magnitude quake hit PNG’s northern coast region, adding to a busy week of seismic activity across the wider Pacific.

Sovereign Cloud Push: PNG has inaugurated Kumul Cloud Infinity, its first AI data center, aiming to keep data onshore and run AI workloads locally with NVIDIA H200 GPU capability—built by Datec PNG and Telikom PNG. Digital Connectivity: PNG DataCo and Digicel PNG signed a five-year bandwidth and network support deal to expand fibre capacity and prepare for future 5G services. Printing Tech Upgrade: BizPrint introduced a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12010S, billed as the first digital press of its kind in the Pacific, moving industrial printing toward faster, more automated production. Engineering Standards: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk inputs and requirements using newer hazard assessments. Biodiversity Spotlight: Scientists named a new non-venomous New Guinea groundsnake Lielaphis slashi after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, highlighting how much of the region’s wildlife is still being discovered. Pacific Tech & Research: UNSW-led work is using ocean temperature sensors on fishing vessels to help Pacific fishers track shifting tuna behaviour and improve fisheries planning.