Papua New Guinea is turning its latest extractive-industry transparency assessment into a practical reform programme designed to give investors clearer information, stronger institutions and greater confidence in the country’s next generation of resource projects.

PNG’s EITI validation and progress

The EITI Board scored PNG at 63.5 points under the 2023 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Standard. Its October 2026 validation recognised progress in beneficial ownership transparency, public understanding of Community Development Agreements and the quality of industry reporting.

Each of those advances has commercial value. Beneficial ownership information helps companies understand who stands behind potential partners. Clearer Community Development Agreements give investors better insight into local commitments, while stronger reporting makes it easier to compare performance and identify where additional work is required. The direction is towards a market in which informed investment decisions can be made with better evidence.

A defined programme of corrective action

The assessment also set out 27 corrective actions covering government participation, contract transparency, extractive-revenue disclosure and the reliability of information in the public domain. For investors, that creates a defined reform pathway with clear issues to address and formal review dates against which progress can be measured.

Government commitments and review dates

Prime Minister James Marape has pledged stronger government engagement and directed senior officials from Treasury, Mining, Petroleum, Energy and other agencies to support the EITI process. PNG’s government-engagement response will be reviewed in April 2027, followed by the next full validation from July 2029.

That combination of progress, public commitments and measurable next steps matters to international capital. Better disclosure can help lenders assess risk, assist companies with due diligence and give landowners and communities a clearer view of how project value is created and shared.

PNGCORE leaders on transparency and investment

“PNG has been given a clear opportunity to show investors how reform is being translated into practice. The country has world-class resources, and stronger transparency will help serious investors understand the market, build trusted partnerships and commit for the long term,” PNG CORE Executive Director Richard Kassman said.

“The progress already recognised by EITI provides a foundation to build on. PNG CORE welcomes the Government’s commitment to the next phase because transparent institutions strengthen the position of the State, responsible investors and the communities that host major projects,” PNG CORE President Anthony Smaré said.

Connecting reform with international investors

PNG Investment Week 2026 will bring that reform agenda into direct conversation with the projects and partnerships shaping the country’s growth. International delegates will be able to hear from government, regulators and industry leaders, ask detailed questions and examine opportunities across mining, petroleum, energy, infrastructure and related services.

For investors assessing PNG, the Sydney conference offers valuable access at the right time. It allows companies to look beyond general perceptions, understand how the operating environment is changing and meet the local decision-makers and businesses needed to enter the market successfully.

PNG CORE invites investors, lenders, operators, professional advisers, technology providers and development partners to join PNG Investment Week at the ICC Sydney from 29 November to 2 December 2026. Register to understand the reforms, explore the project pipeline and begin the relationships that can turn opportunity into business.

PNG Investment Week 2026: 50 Years & Beyond

Hosted by the PNG Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE), PNG Investment Week 2026 is the premier platform connecting international capital with the Pacific’s largest growth cycle. Running from 29 November to 2 December 2026 at the ICC Sydney, this year’s event focuses on “50 Years & Beyond: The Next Wave of Prosperity.” Attendees will meet senior government regulators, connect with global mining and energy giants, and discover multi-billion-dollar opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism.