Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has renewed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), pledging stronger government engagement to improve transparency, accountability and responsible management of the country’s mineral and petroleum resources.
Prime Minister Marape made the commitment during a meeting with a visiting high-level EITI delegation led by newly appointed Board Chair Ms Maria van der Hoeven and Executive Director of the EITI International Secretariat Mr Mark Robinson.
The visit follows the EITI Board’s decision on 6 October 2026 that PNG had achieved a validation score of 63.5 points, classified as Limited, under the 2023 EITI Standard.
The EITI Board acknowledged PNG’s progress in beneficial ownership transparency, public understanding of Community Development Agreements and improvements in reporting quality.
However, the assessment identified 27 corrective actions, including the need for stronger government engagement under EITI Requirement 1.1, contract transparency, disclosure of extractive industry revenues and improved reporting.
PNG’s progress on government engagement will be assessed in April 2027, ahead of its next full validation commencing in July 2029.
“We want the country to succeed with EITI. We are in full support, and we will attend to what needs to be done,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“We see it as a partnership, and we are there to support you.”
The delegation acknowledged PNG’s progress but expressed concern over insufficient participation by senior government officials in the EITI process.
It stressed that stronger ministerial and departmental leadership was essential to implementing the EITI Board’s recommendations.
Prime Minister Marape welcomed the observations and emphasised that the approaching 2027 National General Election must not become an excuse for government institutions to slow down their work.
“The public service must continue working. Elections should not be used as an excuse for people not to do their jobs,” he said.
“Politicians will come and go, but the department heads have a longer time span than us. They are the ones who make things happen.”
The Prime Minister directed that arrangements be made for the delegation to meet senior officials from Treasury, Mining, Petroleum, Energy and other relevant government agencies to ensure coordinated implementation of EITI requirements.
He also encouraged the delegation to formally communicate its recommendations to his office for appropriate government action.
During the discussions, the delegation acknowledged Prime Minister Marape’s leadership in advancing beneficial ownership transparency and strengthening PNG’s international reputation as an investment destination.
The Prime Minister said transparency was essential to maintaining investor confidence, noting that major international companies, including ExxonMobil and Newmont, operated within PNG’s established taxation and regulatory systems.
“We are an established free-market economy. Companies make their declarations, and our tax office collects the appropriate taxes,” he said.
He welcomed the continued participation of government, industry and civil society in the EITI process, saying transparency and accountability were essential to ensuring that resource development benefited ordinary Papua New Guineans.
Prime Minister Marape also welcomed a proposed regional forum on responsible mining investment in the Philippines in June 2027, indicating that PNG would seek appropriate senior-level representation.
He thanked Ms van der Hoeven and Mr Robinson for visiting PNG, the first EITI implementing country visited by Ms van der Hoeven as the newly appointed Board Chair.
“I appreciate you coming all this way, and I want to give you my utmost support,” he said.
“This is in our own interest. We must ensure that we produce the maximum benefits from mining and petroleum for our people.
“These are not sustainable industries forever, and the cost to the environment is also big. Any gains from these resources must be invested in other parts of our economy.”
The Prime Minister stressed that revenue from PNG’s finite mineral and petroleum resources must be invested in sustainable economic activities that would continue benefiting future generations.
He commended the PNG EITI National Secretariat, its Executive Director Mr George Kauli, and the broader Multi-Stakeholder Group for their ongoing work.
“We will support you to the fullest,” Prime Minister Marape said.