AGP Executive Report

Sovereign Cloud & AI: PNG is set to launch Kumul Cloud Infinity—its sovereign cloud and AI datacenter—on 21 August in Port Moresby, with Datec PNG and Telikom PNG backing the push for in-country data hosting and stronger digital sovereignty. Health Education: The new Papua New Guinea University of Medicine and Health Sciences moves forward after interim council swearing-in, with the government committing K2 billion (starting with K50 million) to build teaching, research and training capacity. Power Theft Crackdown: PNG Power is rolling out smart meters and upgraded monitoring to tackle electricity theft and meter tampering as it targets a high loss rate. Aviation Skills Pipeline: Kokopo Technical Secondary students got hands-on exposure to aviation engineering during visits to Tokua Airport, watching Air Niugini engineers carry out major aircraft maintenance. STEM Scholarship to US: Jessie Junias was selected for a STEM scholarship to study mechanical engineering in the United States, aiming to return with skills to support PNG’s development. Regional Tech & Security: A report on Pacific communications highlights who controls submarine cables and digital platforms—an issue tied to sovereignty and resilience. Fisheries Surveillance: Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four in a regional push against illegal fishing. Mining Leadership Change: K92 Mining announced CEO succession at its Kainantu operation, with David Medilek taking over from John Lewins in October 2026. Local Content for Gas: The Pasca A Gas Project’s National Content Plan was approved to expand PNG worker and business participation in the project’s development and operations.

Medical Education Funding: Papua New Guinea’s new standalone University of Medicine and Health Sciences moves forward as an interim council is sworn in, with the government pledging K2 billion for infrastructure (first K50 million released) and pushing for stronger research, teaching, tech and integrity. Aviation Skills Pipeline: Kokopo Technical Secondary Grade 12 students got hands-on exposure to aviation engineering during a Tokua Airport visit, watching Air Niugini engineers replace a Fokker 70 engine and meeting licensed maintenance staff. Electricity Theft Crackdown: PNG Power is rolling out smart meters and upgraded monitoring to tackle electricity theft and meter tampering, citing about 12% overall loss and calling for tougher accountability. Regional Fisheries Tech & Patrols: Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four, using surveillance across 27.5 million sq km with PNG among participating members. PNG–Solomon Investment Corridor: Prime Minister Marape heads to Honiara for a PNG–Solomon Islands Investment Conference to turn shared opportunities into business-to-business investment and jobs. Leadership Change at K92: K92 Mining names David Medilek as CEO effective Oct 1, 2026, with John Lewins shifting to non-executive chair.

Aviation Education: Grade 12 science students from Kokopo Technical Secondary School got a rare, hands-on look at commercial aircraft maintenance at Tokua Airport in Rabaul, watching Air Niugini engineers replace an engine on a Fokker 70 and meeting licensed maintenance engineer Chuck Matane. Medical Training: PNG moved closer to its first standalone medical university in 50 years as interim council members were sworn in to set governance, leadership appointments and academic standards, with K2 billion committed for infrastructure. Mining Leadership: K92 Mining announced a leadership succession for its Kainantu operation, appointing David Medilek as CEO and director from Oct 1, 2026, with John Lewins shifting to non-executive chair. Power Tech: PNG Power is rolling out smart meters and upgraded monitoring to tackle electricity theft and reduce a roughly 12% loss rate. Earthquake Update: A 5.8 quake struck near PNG’s northern coast; no immediate damage reports, but monitoring continues for aftershocks. Regional Tech & Security: FFA’s Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four in a major anti-illegal fishing surveillance push across 27.5 million sq km. Local Digital Skills: PNGUOT Alumni Association soft-launched an online SaaS platform to centralise alumni networking and support university development.

Aviation education: Air Niugini engineers turned a routine Tokua Airport engine replacement into hands-on Grade 12 learning for Kokopo Technical Secondary School students, showing real aircraft maintenance work and sparking local STEM pathways. STEM scholarships: Jessie Junias, one of 137 PNG students selected for a US STEM scholarship, is set to study Mechanical Engineering in the United States with plans to return and build PNG’s technical capacity. Power tech for theft control: PNG Power Limited says it will roll out smart meters and upgraded monitoring to tackle electricity theft and meter tampering, as it targets a high loss rate driven by illegal connections and manipulated readings. Regional fisheries surveillance: Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four, using satellite monitoring, aerial patrols and inspections across 27.5 million sq km of Pacific waters. Local digital systems: PNGUOT Alumni Association soft-launched a SaaS online platform to centralise alumni networking and support the university, replacing fragmented membership systems. Energy sector jobs: The National Content Plan for the Pasca A Gas Project was approved, aiming to boost PNG worker participation and local business procurement. Earthquake update: A 5.8 quake hit PNG’s northern coast; monitoring agencies reported no immediate damage and urged continued aftershock readiness. Business and tech in the spotlight: Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites opened in Port Moresby with integrated technology, while K92 Mining named David Medilek CEO as it prepares for the next growth phase at Kainantu.

Electricity Theft Crackdown: PNG Power is rolling out smart meters and upgraded monitoring to cut electricity theft and reduce a ~12% loss rate, including cases where one company allegedly racked up nearly K30 million in unpaid stolen power. Regional Fisheries Tech: Operation Island Chief 2026 (FFA-led) flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four, using satellite monitoring, aerial surveillance, and FFA’s monitoring tools across 27.5 million sq km. Disaster Monitoring: A 5.8 quake hit PNG’s northern coast; officials report no immediate damage, while agencies keep watching for aftershocks. Digital Skills for PNG: PNGUOT Alumni soft-launched a SaaS online platform to centralise alumni networking and support the university’s growth. Energy & Infrastructure Funding: PNG is set to receive about K5.2 billion in new ADB projects over three years across transport, energy, water, health, education and agriculture. Seismic Safety Update: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges to improve earthquake resilience using updated risk information. Petroleum Local Content: The Pasca A Gas Project’s National Content Plan was approved, aiming to boost PNG jobs, training, and PNG-owned supplier participation. Mining Expansion: Great Pacific Gold expanded gold mineralisation at its Wild Dog Project after new mapping and channel sampling at Elamaraka and Kargalio systems. Defence Partnership Skills Pipeline: PNG and Australia are moving from the Pukpuk Treaty into practical programs, including a pathway for up to 10,000 PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force. Trade Snapshot: PNG recorded a cumulative K46.39 billion trade surplus with South Korea since 1989, driven mainly by LNG exports.

Maritime Security: FFA’s Operation Island Chief 2026 (OPIC26) flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four in a two-week regional push against illegal fishing, covering about 27.5 million sq km and monitoring 3,000+ fishing vessels across 11 FFA members, with support from Pacific QUADs and tools like satellite monitoring and remote sensing. Defence & Skills: PNG and Australia are turning the Pukpuk Treaty into workforce pathways, including a pilot recruitment route for up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force, with broader labour mobility and training plans. Energy & Infrastructure Finance: The Asian Development Bank says PNG will receive about K5.2 billion in new projects over three years, targeting transport, energy, water, health, education and agriculture, plus public-sector management and financial access. Disaster Readiness: A 5.8 quake hit near PNG’s northern coast; officials reported no immediate damage, while agencies monitor for aftershocks. Petroleum Local Participation: The Pasca A Gas Project’s National Content Plan was approved, aiming to expand PNG jobs, training and PNG-owned supplier participation. Tech & Education: PNGUOT Alumni soft-launched an online SaaS platform to centralise alumni networking and support university development. Science & Engineering Standards: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges to improve earthquake resilience using updated risk information.

Defence & Jobs: PNG and Australia are turning the Pukpuk Treaty into practical workforce plans, including a pilot pathway for Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force, with early recruitment expected in 2026-27 and scaling over the decade. Energy & Local Business: Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina has approved the Pasca A Gas Project National Content Plan, setting a framework to expand PNG training, employment and PNG-owned supplier participation. Infrastructure Safety: PNG has launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk guidance to improve public safety and engineering standards. Disaster Watch: A 5.8 earthquake struck near PNG’s northern coast; officials reported no immediate damage and agencies are monitoring for aftershocks. Regional Tech Governance: Pacific Foreign Ministers backed new AI and safer digital space principles as connectivity expands across undersea cables. STEM Pathways: A PNG student is heading to India for electrical engineering under a STEM scholarship, highlighting how reliable power shapes learning opportunities. Mining Update: Great Pacific Gold expanded known gold mineralisation at its Wild Dog Project, extending Elamaraka and Kargalio vein systems. ADB Funding Pipeline: PNG is set to receive about K5.2b in new Asian Development Bank projects covering transport, energy, water, health, education and agriculture. Vehicle Market: Perodua PNG launched the Traz SUV, pitching value, safety and efficiency for PNG driving conditions.

Earthquake Watch: A 5.8-magnitude quake struck Papua New Guinea’s north coast (reported by GFZ), with no immediate damage reports, reminding PNG’s Ring of Fire exposure. Engineering Safety: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk guidance with support from Geoscience Australia to improve infrastructure resilience. Digital Governance: Pacific foreign ministers backed new AI rules and safer digital space principles, as all Forum members now connect via undersea cables. STEM & Power Access: A Central/Milne Bay student is heading to India for electrical engineering under PNG’s STEM scholarships, driven by rural electricity reliability gaps. Gas & LNG Momentum: Pasca A Gas cleared its National Content Plan, while Papua LNG keeps moving with Daewoo E&C named preferred for key LNG facility work—both pushing local jobs and major energy development. Mining Update: Great Pacific Gold expanded gold mineralisation at its Wild Dog Project, extending Elamaraka and Kargalio vein systems. Education & Media Skills: DWU journalism students showcased research on contemporary PNG issues, supported by ExxonMobil PNG and Post-Courier. Science Curiosity: A University of Utah study links the “tiny people” hallucination to the mushroom Lanmaoa asiatica, adding another PNG-relevant thread to research on unusual fungi.

STEM & Research: Divine Word University final-year journalism students in Madang showcased research on contemporary PNG issues, with ExxonMobil PNG backing the poster presentation and a strong push for accuracy and responsible reporting. Infrastructure Safety: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges in Port Moresby, updating earthquake risk guidance and raising engineering standards for safer, more resilient structures. Energy & LNG: Daewoo E&C was named preferred bidder for key Papua LNG work, while TotalEnergies’ Papua LNG project continues toward a 2026 final investment decision. Gas Local Benefits: Pasca A Gas received approval for its National Content Plan, aiming to expand training, jobs, and PNG-owned business participation. Mining Tech: Great Pacific Gold expanded known gold mineralisation at its Wild Dog Project after new mapping and channel sampling at the Elamaraka and Kargalio vein systems. Digital Governance: Pacific Foreign Ministers backed regional AI principles and safer digital spaces as connectivity grows across the region. Power & Skills: A Milne Bay student won a STEM scholarship to study electrical engineering in India, highlighting how unreliable rural electricity affects learning. Education Administration: NCD took over education services in Port Moresby under a decentralisation handover.

Infrastructure Resilience: Papua New Guinea has launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk guidance and engineering requirements after the last manual dates back to 1985. Digital Governance: Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers backed new AI and safer digital-space principles, with a regional AI governance framework and phased work to protect young people as connectivity expands. STEM & Skills: PNG’s STEM Overseas Scholarship Programme has grown to more than 360 students studying abroad, while a separate story highlights a student heading to India for electrical engineering. Energy & LNG Engineering: TotalEnergies has selected Daewoo Engineering & Construction as preferred EPC bidder for Papua LNG’s central processing facility and wellpads, targeting a final investment decision in 2026. Gas Local Benefits: The Pasca A Gas Project received approval for its National Content Plan, aiming to boost training, jobs and PNG-owned business participation. Mining Update: Great Pacific Gold says mapping and sampling at its Wild Dog Project expanded known gold mineralisation at the Elamaraka and Kargalio vein systems. Education Administration: NCD has taken greater control of education services, with NCDC assuming responsibility for the capital’s education division.

Hallucination Science: University of Utah researchers have genomically confirmed that the mushroom Lanmaoa asiatica can trigger “tiny people” visions when eaten undercooked, with reports of 3–30cm figures obeying gravity for days—yet no known classic psychedelic genes detected. PNG Infrastructure Safety: Papua New Guinea launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk guidance and pushing “engineering must be based on science” after a 1985 standard. Gas & LNG Engineering: TotalEnergies has picked Daewoo Engineering & Construction as preferred bidder for major Papua LNG work, including the central processing facility and wellpads, with a final investment decision targeted for 2026. Digital Governance: Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers backed regional AI principles and safer digital space plans as connectivity expands via undersea cables. STEM & Power Access: A PNG student received a STEM scholarship path to electrical engineering in India, citing unreliable rural electricity as a barrier to study. Mining Update: Great Pacific Gold says mapping and sampling at its Wild Dog Project expanded known gold mineralisation at the Elamaraka and Kargalio vein systems. Agriculture Investment: IFC targets K1.5bn in agriculture investment in PNG by 2030 under the AgriConnect initiative.

Infrastructure & Safety: PNG launched a revised seismic design manual for bridges, updating earthquake risk guidance and pushing “engineering must be based on science” after a 1985 standard served for about 40 years. Energy & Skills: Pasca A Gas won approval for its National Content Plan, aiming to boost training, jobs and PNG-owned suppliers; meanwhile, PNGDF and ADF engineers teamed up in Lae for Exercise Pukpuk 2026 to deliver practical works. Digital Policy: Pacific Ministers backed regional AI principles and safer digital spaces as connectivity expands via undersea cables, with a governance framework planned for leaders’ review. STEM & Education: The STEM Overseas Scholarship Programme now supports 360+ students studying abroad, and NCD formally took over education services in Port Moresby. LNG & Industry: TotalEnergies selected Daewoo E&C as preferred bidder for Papua LNG CPF and wellpads EPSCC, targeting FID in 2H 2026. Agriculture Investment: IFC is targeting K1.5bn in agriculture investment by 2030 under AgriConnect. Science Curiosity: Researchers linked “tiny people” hallucinations to the mushroom Lanmaoa asiatica, including accounts from China and the Philippines.

LNG & Energy Deals: TotalEnergies is pushing Papua LNG forward with Daewoo Engineering & Construction picked as preferred EPC bidder for the central processing facility and wellpads, as the project targets a final investment decision in 2H 2026. National Content & Jobs: The Pasca A Gas Project has won approval for its National Content Plan, aiming to boost training, employment and PNG business participation. Security & Training: PNGDF and Australia’s defence engineers are working together in Lae for Exercise Pukpuk 2026, focused on practical engineering works and stronger regional ties. Digital Policy: PNG has opened public consultation on data protection, cybersecurity and verifiable credentials bills, covering biometric safeguards and rules for identity services. STEM & Skills: PNG’s STEM Overseas Scholarship Programme has expanded to 360+ students studying abroad, while Divine Word University marks major growth and a strategic plan launch. Science & Curiosity: Researchers link a mushroom species to “tiny people” hallucinations, with DNA tying reports from China and the Philippines. Education Governance: NCD has taken full control of education services in the capital under the decentralised structure.

Mushroom Science: Researchers say the “tiny people” hallucinations linked to undercooked wild mushrooms can be traced to one species, Lanmaoa asiatica, with DNA matching reports from Southwest China and the northern Philippines—locals in Yunnan warn diners to cook it fully. LNG Engineering: TotalEnergies has named Daewoo E&C as preferred bidder for the Papua LNG central processing facility and wellpads, targeting a final investment decision in late 2026 for a project producing about 6 million tonnes of LNG a year. Digital ID & Cyber Laws: PNG is consulting on three bills covering data protection, cybersecurity, and verifiable credentials—biometrics would get heightened safeguards, with fines up to K1 million for breaches. Education & Skills: Marape told Unitech to provide acquittals for K141 million in government funding and launched a new School of Petroleum Engineering at Unitech, with the first Bachelor intake due in 2027. Energy for Remote Telecoms: Polar Power says repeat orders are expanding solar-hybrid power for broadband in the Pacific, including 15 more Solomon Islands sites after successful 2024 deployments. Disaster Readiness: The U.S. and PNG partners are running a four-day disaster management field training in Morobe to strengthen province-level response to floods, landslides and maritime emergencies.

Digital Identity & Cybersecurity: PNG has opened public consultation on three bills covering data protection, cybersecurity, and verifiable credentials—aimed at strengthening its SevisPass/SevisWallet digital ID ecosystem, including tighter rules for biometric data and penalties for breaches. Disaster Readiness: The U.S. Embassy and PNG partners are running a four-day disaster management field training in Morobe to improve province-level response to floods, landslides and maritime emergencies. Earthquake Monitoring: Australia handed over specialist seismic equipment for the LaeShakeAware project, boosting community-based earthquake monitoring and faster local decision-making. Solar Skills & Energy Access: The International Solar Alliance will set up a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre at Don Bosco Technological Institute in Port Moresby to train installers and operators. Off-Grid Power for Telecom: Polar Power says repeat orders are expanding solar-hybrid systems across Pacific telecom sites, including new orders for the Solomon Islands. STEM Capacity Building: PNG’s STEM scholarship programme has now supported about 470 students overseas since 2023, with another 137 departing for studies. Petroleum Engineering Pipeline: Unitech’s new School of Petroleum Engineering was launched to build local expertise for PNG’s oil and gas sector. Science Spotlight: Researchers have linked “tiny people” hallucinations to a specific wild mushroom species, with DNA work pointing to the same culprit across PNG, China and the Philippines.

University Funding & Accountability: PM James Marape told Unitech to provide acquittals for seven years of K141m in government infrastructure funding, praising its clean record and pushing stronger reporting and international course accreditation. Digital ID & Privacy: PNG opened public consultation on three bills covering data protection, cybersecurity, and verifiable credentials, including tighter rules for biometric data, consent, encryption, and penalties up to one million kina. Oil & Gas Skills Pipeline: Unitech launched a new School of Petroleum Engineering, with the first Bachelor intake due in 2027, aiming to build local engineers for PNG’s petroleum and energy projects. Disaster Readiness: PNG and the U.S. ran a four-day disaster management and humanitarian assistance field training in Morobe, strengthening province-level coordination for floods, landslides and maritime emergencies. Solar Power for Connectivity: Polar Power reported $7.9m in Pacific Islands revenue since 2024 and repeat orders for solar-hybrid systems to expand broadband in remote telecom sites. Climate & Water Stress: El Niño is already pressuring water supplies, with Port Moresby preparing for partial shutdowns to repair a leaking pipeline. STEM Scholarships: PNG’s STEM programme has now supported about 470 students overseas since 2023, including a new group of 137 leaving for further studies. Esports on the Rise: PNG Esports will send both men’s and women’s teams to Oceania qualifiers online, with the women’s Mobile Legends team making its first international appearance.