The PNGEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) held its first quarter meeting of 2026 at Tuna Bay Resort, Central Province on Thursday, March 26. Acting MSG Chair and Acting Deputy Secretary, John Uware chaired the meeting. The meeting brought together MSG members and PNGEITI National Secretariat to discuss issues of importance concerning the National Secretariat. The meeting began with the review of matters arising from meeting minutes of fourth quarter, 2025 followed by update from respective branch directors. Director Projects and Procurement Branch, Diclah Taureka provided update on the following: Mr. Taureka also provided further updates on the following: Manager Finance and Human Resource, Kelly I’mane  provided 2025 Financial Report. The MSG during this meeting endorsed 2026 workplan and 2026 annual budget for the National Secretariat.

Executive Director of Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI), George Kauli has announced that PNG is currently being validated for the third time since it signed up to implement the EITI Standard in 2013. The PNG’s EITI Validation which started on the 1st of April is expected to end in June with  results expected towards the end of this year. Mr Kauli said prior to the Validation, there has been efforts focused on closing gaps in data accessibility, strengthening Multi- Stakeholder Group functions and addressing the 2022 validation corrective actions to enhance transparency in the extractive sector. Validation Advisor, Riley Zecca and Director for Europe Mark Burnett are in the country to meet with selected government ministers, government officials, Civil Society Organisations, representatives from companies operating in the extractive sector and representatives from state owned entities. “EITI is a global standard for the good governance of natural resources in a country and we are here to provide a check-in, on progress. PNG has been a member of EITI for over ten years and has been progressing EITI implementation that best show the people of PNG how they are benefitting from their natural resources particularly in the mining, oil and gas sector and are improving data accessibility so everyone can understand what is expected and required from companies and government and the broader constituents as a whole. Our goal is to provide data so that citizens of a country can hold those in authority accountable to ensure that they are getting the benefits that they should receive,” said Mr Zecca. Mr Zecca further said “while validation will provide a score and an assessment, it is not a test. We are here to assist you all in tailoring this tool to suit your needs.” The validators met with the staff of PNGEITI National Secretariat followed by discussions with the Independent Administrator of the 2024 Report, Kuna Taberia Kiruwi (KTK) and Division of Earth Sciences from University of Papua New Guinea. The visiting Validation team is expected to conclude its mission with a debrief with Chair of MSG and Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey on Friday 24th April before their departure. Mr. Kauli explained that validation is an essential feature of the EITI implementation process intended to provide stakeholders with an impartial assessment of whether EITI implementation in a country is consistent with the provisions of the EITI Standard. PNG underwent its first validation in 2018 where the EITI Board granted ‘meaningful progress’ in implementing the EITI Standard. PNG underwent its second Validation in 2022 where it improved to ‘moderate score’ of 70.5 percent. The EITI International Board commended PNG’s efforts in implementing several reforms to address weaknesses in government systems and in improving the level of transparency in the country’s extractive sector. The Board also recognised PNG’s efforts in ensuring appropriate multi-stakeholder oversight of EITI implementation and aligning objectives of the EITI with national priorities. It further commended the country’s efforts to produce EITI reports in a timely manner and to effectively disseminate the findings of the Reports. Mr. Kauli is optimistic that improved position in this year’s Validation would mean a positive image for the country, especially at this time when PNG is grey listed by the Financial Action Task Force.

The PNGEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) held its fourth quarter meeting of 2026 at Tuna Bay Resort, Central Province on Thursday, March 26. Acting MSG Chair and Acting Deputy Secretary, John Uware chaired the meeting. The meeting brought together MSG members and PNGEITI National Secretariat to discuss issues of importance concerning the National Secretariat. The meeting began with the review of matters arising from meeting minutes of fourth quarter, 2025 followed by update from respective branch directors. Director Projects and Procurement Branch, Diclah Taureka provided update on the following: Mr. Taureka also provided further updates on the following: Manager Finance and Human Resource, Kelly I’mane  provided 2025 Financial Report. The MSG during this meeting endorsed 2026 workplan and 2026 annual budget for the National Secretariat.

The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) National Secretariat has officially launched its 2024 Annual Report during the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) Quarter 1 meeting held at Tuna Bay in Port Moresby on the 26th of March, 2026. The report presents a comprehensive overview of Papua New Guinea’s extractive sector performance, financial disclosures and the country’s continued commitment to transparency and accountability for the 2024 financial year. Speaking at the launch during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Acting Chairman of the Multi-Stakeholder Group, John Uware, emphasized the importance of the report in strengthening public trust and promoting informed dialogue among government, industry and civil society stakeholders. “This report reflects Papua New Guinea’s dedication to the open and accountable management of its oil, gas and mineral resources,” said Mr. John Uware, Acting Chair of MSG. “It serves as a critical tool for stakeholders to assess sector performance and to support responsible and transparent resource governance.” he said. The launch comes ahead of Papua New Guinea’s upcoming Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation, scheduled to commence on April 1, 2026. Validation is a key component of the global EITI process, assessing the country’s compliance with the EITI Standard while identifying opportunities to strengthen reporting practices and enhance transparency. The 2024 Annual Report outlines revenue contributions from the mining, oil, and gas sectors, including insights into beneficial ownership disclosures and key government and industry initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and equitable resource management. It also highlights the strong collaboration between the PNGEITI National Secretariat, MSG members, and international partners in advancing transparency and accountability across the sector. Members of the MSG present at the meeting welcomed the report as an important reference for guiding policy decisions and strengthening stakeholder engagement. the report is expected to inform national dialogue as Papua New Guinea enters the Validation phase, further demonstrating the country’s commitment to international transparency standards. The PNGEITI National Secretariat encourages all stakeholders including civil society, government agencies, the private sector, the general public and resource owners in extractive provinces to download and review the 2024 Annual Report from the PNGEITI website, to stay informed and better understand how Papua New Guinea’s extractive resources are managed as the country progresses toward its April 2026 Validation milestone.

The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) participated in the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy (PNGCORE) Investment Week, held in Sydney, Australia, from the 7th to the 11th of December 2025, engaging with a diverse cross-section of stakeholders from the extractive sector and beyond. Throughout the week, PNGEITI utilized its exhibition booth to showcase its work in promoting transparency and accountability in Papua New Guinea’s mining and petroleum sectors. The Secretariat also used the platform to strengthen networks with organizations, institutions, and individuals, while raising awareness of ongoing PNGEITI initiatives and EITI implementation in PNG. The PNGEITI exhibition booth attracted significant interest, with several high-profile individuals visiting to learn more about the EITI process and discuss extractive sector governance with National Secretariat staff. Notable visitors included: Honorable Casmiro Aia, Member of Parliament for Goilala; Mr. Marcus Bai, former PNG Kumuls and Melbourne Storm player; Mr. Assik Tommy Tomscoll, former Middle Ramu MP and Country Manager for Ramu Nickel; Mr. Gabriel Pepson, former Ambassador to the European Union and former Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Ms. Valentina Kaman, lawyer, Vice President of the Business Professional Women Club, and Vice Chair of The Voice Inc. Engagement at the booth was highly interactive, with visitors raising questions and expressing interest in PNGEITI’s work. Social media posts featuring high-profile visitors and event highlights significantly increased traffic and engagement across PNGEITI’s online platforms during the conference. Visibility and Knowledge Sharing PNGEITI also featured in the PNGCORE Investment Week magazine, which was produced and distributed during the event, with content coverage and advertising showcasing the organization’s role in extractive sector transparency. The PNGEITI 2023 EITI Report was referenced during the conference, with Mr. John Chambers, Managing Director of Larus Energy, citing the report in his presentation. Mr. Chambers noted that the EITI Report provides a comprehensive view of extractive industry receipts and supports informed discussion on sector revenues. PNGEITI’s branded merchandise was fully distributed on the first day of the exhibition, reflecting strong interest from participants. Informational materials, including brochures, fact sheets, and information sheets, were redesigned into smaller, more accessible formats incorporating QR codes, allowing participants to easily access digital content. This approach marked a notable improvement from PNGEITI’s outreach efforts at the 2024 conference. Executive Director Mr. George Kauli expressed satisfaction with PNGEITI’s participation at the event, noting the value of continued engagement with PNGCORE and the broader extractive sector community. “The National Secretariat will continue to participate in PNGCORE events to raise awareness of PNGEITI’s work and strengthen networks with key stakeholders,” Mr. Kauli said. He added that PNGEITI looks forward to deepening its collaboration with PNGCORE, with the aspiration of not only exhibiting but also contributing as a speaker at future conferences. PNGEITI also extended its appreciation to the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited (KMHL) for sponsoring two PNGEITI participants to attend the event. The PNGCORE Investment Week remains the largest PNG-focused extractive sector event held outside Papua New Guinea, bringing together industry leaders, regulators, development partners, and potential investors. The event provides a world-class platform to showcase Papua New Guinea’s resource potential and governance frameworks to a global audience.

The Executive Director of Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency (PNGEITI), George Kauli has announced that PNG will be validated for the third time since it signed up to implement the EITI global best practice Standard in 2013. Mr. Kauli when announcing the country’s EITI Validation set for April 1, 2026 said there has been recent efforts focused on closing gaps in data accessibility, strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) functions and addressing 2022 Validation Corrective Actions to enhance transparency in the extractive sector. Mr. Kauli explained that validation is an essential feature of the EITI implementation process intended to provide stakeholders with an impartial assessment of whether EITI implementation in a country is consistent with the EITI Standard. PNG underwent its first validation in 2018 where the EITI Board granted ‘meaningful progress’ in implementing the EITI Standard. The Board commended PNG’s efforts in implementing several reforms to address weaknesses in government systems and in improving the level of transparency in the country’s extractive sector. In the 2022 Validation, PNG scored a moderate 70.5% which it now aims to improve in the coming third Validation. Mr. Kauli expressed concern that failure to make considerable improvements in keyareas such as addressing outstanding corrective actions from 2022, improving MSG functions, and adopting new requirements under the revised 2023 EITI Standard, including energy transition, gender and anti-corruption could result in serious consequences for PNG such as suspension from EITI in accordance with the EITI Standard. However, Mr. Kauli is optimistic that improved ranking in this year’s Validation would mean a positive image for the country, especially at this time when PNG is set to be grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force. Certain areas in the activities of EITI can have positive impact on the grey listing status of PNG, and Beneficial Ownership disclosure is one area where FATF recommendations and ElTI standards overlap and this can help PNG come out of the grey-list status. Meanwhile, the EITI International Secretariat (IS) Validation Lead, Riley Zecca has invited Stakeholders to contact the IS with any comments and concerns regarding EITI implementation in Papua New Guinea. The EITI International Secretariat is seeking stakeholder views on PNG’s progress in implementing the EITI Standard between November 2022 and April 2026. Stakeholders can check www.eiti.org for the Papua New Guinea 2026 EITI Validation: call for views on stakeholder engagement to participate.