UNDP's new documentary sheds light on PNG's rising epidemic of sorcery accusations
In order to raise awareness of Papua New Guinea's alarming epidemic of sorcery accusation related violence (SARV), UNDP has joined hands with Film-Bro to produce a documentary, 'Noken Kilim Meri'.
The documentary directed by Marco Venditti covers the heroic work of activists combating the alarming spread of sorcery accusations in Papua New Guinea’s Southern Highlands Province. With generous funding from the United Kingdom, UNDP has actively supported the work of these activists through its programming in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea in recent years.
The film received its premiere at the Paradise Cinema in Port Moresby on 20 March 2025. The screening was followed up by a thought-provoking panel discussion led by local activists. Together, the participants highlighted the challenges that activists face in combating sorcery accusations and the necessary steps required to eradicate the practice. Increasing funding for law enforcement, ensuring adequate punishments for perpetrators, and integrating anti-SARV education into school curriculums were just some of the solutions discussed during the lively conversation.
“Sorcery accusation related violence is tearing apart the social fabric of Papua New Guinea. By producing this film about the brave efforts of activists, we wish to inspire every Papua New Guinean to join the growing movement against this senseless violence. We are particularly grateful to the United Kingdom for joining us in taking this bold stance against this evil practice,” stated UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth.
Watch the trailer of the film below!
UNDP electrifies a remote school in Aitape with solar energy
For years, St. Ignatius Secondary School located in the remote town of Aitape, Sandaun Province suffered from constant power blackouts. At worst, the school had no electricity for 3 months.
This caused major issues for the school's over 850 students, 85% of whom live on campus as boarding students. Students completed homework with torches, water had to be fetched from a river 30 minutes away, and extracurricular activities were repeatedly cancelled.
In 2024, UNDP installed a solar energy system on the school grounds through the EU-funded STREIT PNG Programme. Ever since then, the school has enjoyed a reliable supply of clean, renewable energy around the clock. St. Ignatius is one of the six schools that UNDP has equipped with solar energy through the programme.
Watch the video below to see how the solar energy has improved the daily life and learning environment of both students and faculty.
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Anna Samingian is a deaf activist for disability rights in PNG
“Being a person with a disability in Papua New Guinea is not easy. Many of us are mocked and discriminated against, even by our own families,” says Anna Samingian, a hearing impaired disability rights activist in Papua New Guinea’s Sandaun Province.
After losing her hearing to severe malaria at the age of five, Anna was able to complete her schooling with the steadfast support from her older sister Priscilla. Today, she works as a regional leader for the Women With Disability Network in Papua New Guinea’s Momase Region, where she helps people with disabilities access services, teaches sign language, and changes mindsets of local communities through advocacy.
With the support of UNDP and CSNU, Anna recently completed a training on safeguarding persons with disabilities from gender-based violence. Persons with disabilities face an increased risk of sexual violence in the country and with her newly acquired skills, Anna is working hard to protect her peers from this threat.
Watch the video below to learn more about Anna’s work and the challenges that persons with disabilities face in Papua New Guinea.
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Conserving leatherback turtles on Huon Beach, Morobe Province
The Kamiali Wildlife Management Area on Huon Beach, Morobe Province is a crucial nesting ground for critically endangered leatherback turtles.
In the past decades these unique turtles have become increasingly threatened by biodiversity loss, local mining exploration, and unsustainable fishing practices.
Through the Biodiversity and Climate Fund, UNDP, CEPA and Morobe Development Foundation Inc. are working with local partners to accelerate efforts to conserve this unique species. Together, we are exploring the possibility of expanding the conservation area and exploring more sustainable livelihoods for inhabitants within and around the region.
Watch this video to learn more about our conservation efforts!
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Tribes in Simbu Province commit to protecting Mt. Wilhelm's unique rainforests
The area surrounding Papua New Guinea's highest mountain, Mt. Wilhelm, is home to a unique type of high altitude rainforest found nowhere else in Papua New Guinea.
At the end of 2024, the Kuglkane Tribe from Mitnande LLG, Simbu Province made a historic decision to preserve these unique forests by signing a conservation deed to protect its customary lands.
The signing of the deed made Mitnande the first LLG in all of Papua New Guinea to be entirely covered by community-led conservation efforts. Earlier in 2024, the area's two other major tribes, Inaugl and Denglagu Maugagl, had already signed conservation deeds for their respective areas.
Watch this video to learn from all three tribes what protecting the local ecosystems means for them and how UNDP will help them develop sustainable livelihoods to complement their conservation efforts.
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UNDP supports a parliamentary inquiry on gender equality
On 25-26 March 2025, UNDP supported Papua New Guinea's Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in hosting its first parliamentary inquiry of 2025. For two days, relevant stakeholders gathered together at the Parliament of Papua New Guinea to assess national progress on addressing gender-based violence and advancing women’s empowerment.
In the course of the inquiry, key Government departments, including the Department for Community Development and Religion, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Department of National Planning, and the Department of Treasury presented updates on the resources they have allocated towards GBV prevention and response. Representatives of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, judiciary, and health sector also submitted reports detailing their respective efforts in advancing gender equality.
The Committee also heard first hand testimonies from civil society organizations, frontline service providers, and provincial administrations on the effectiveness of GBV and SARV response mechanisms at the community level. These insights highlighted both progress and gaps in services, funding, and coordination across sectors.
“This inquiry has demonstrated the urgency of ongoing, coordinated action. While we acknowledge the progress made, we must continue to strengthen institutional responses and empower our communities to protect the rights and safety of women and girls,” the Chair of the Committee, Hon. Governor Powes Parkop, stated at the end of the inquiry.
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Australian Government continues support to strengthen Papua New Guinea's Parliaments
The Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening processes of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville House of Representatives by extending funding for UNDP's ‘Strengthening Papua New Guinea Parliament Project’ for an additional 18 months.
UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth; Minister Counsellor of the Australian High Commission, Ms. Penny Morton; and Clerk of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea, Mr. Kala Aufa, officially signed the agreement during a ceremony held at the National Parliament.
“We are committed to supporting Papua New Guinea’s democratic institutions and processes. This agreement signing reflects the Australian Government’s dedication to fostering democratic resilience and inclusive governance in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. We remain committed to empowering parliamentary institutions and engaging citizens in the democratic process,’’ said Ms. Penny Morton.
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Papua New Guinean economy expected to continue growth in 2025
The resource sector of Papua New Guinea drove the country's economic growth in 2024, with growth expected to continue in 2025.
In 2024, growth in the non-resource sector was mainly driven by construction and higher prices of agricultural exports like coffee and cocoa. Increased Government spending on infrastructure is expected to support the growth of the non-resource sector in the following years.
The National Budget for 2025 titled "Securing Our Future" projects a sense of optimism in the economic performance of Papua New Guinea. The budget includes additional commitments to address the challenges of law and order. Furthermore, some critical social services, including health and education, will receive much needed increases in budget allocations, although investments in social protection and other critical sectors remain low.
For more information on the economic performance of Papua New Guinea in 2024, the National Budget and economic policy for 2025, as well as analysis of how global and regional trends could impact the country's economic development in the near future, read our latest Papua New Guinea Economic Brief by clicking the link below.
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UNDP Papua New Guinea releases its Annual Report for 2024
The year 2024 was a significant one for UNDP's operations in Papua New Guinea, as the Country Office completed the first year of its Country Programme for 2024-2028. The new Country Programme focuses on four key outcome areas: Equality for Women and Girls; Peace, Governance and Social Cohesion; Sustainable Economic Development; and Environment and Climate Change.
Throughout the year, UNDP continued to implement various initiatives to pave the way for a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable Papua New Guinea. In the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, we continued to mediate long-standing tribal conflicts and train a new generation of local peacebuilders. In New Britain, we introduced more sustainable resource management practices to protect the island’s unique rainforests and coral reefs.
In the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, we completed three Innovation Hubs that will support local women and youth-led enterprises in expanding their operations. We also stood by Papua New Guineans during moments of extreme adversity, as we coordinated humanitarian response efforts to an unprecedented landslide in Enga Province, a major earthquake in East Sepik Province, and continuous flooding in Western Province.
For a comprehensive overview of the impact of our work in 2024, take a look at our Annual Report by clicking the link below!
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