Our Scans · Papua New Guinea · Weekly Summary

• The AFD has expanded its network in the South Pacific by opening offices in Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, and increasing its regional budget five-fold with a view to reaching €200 million in 2027. Groupe d'etudes geopolitiques
• Liquefied natural gas: We expect to surpass 40 million metric tons of LNG sales per year by 2030 with large-scale projects in the United States, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, and Qatar. ExxonMobil
• Increased military assertiveness from China could escalate tensions over the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea - both areas where Beijing has sought greater influence, directly challenging Australia's regional leadership. Independent Australia
• Papua New Guinea, a nation celebrating its 50th year of Independence in 2025, finds itself grappling with a crisis that threatens its very foundation: a breakdown of internal security. Post Courier
• In 2009, the Government of Papua New Guinea launched a 40-year development strategy, PNG Vision 2050, which is intended to develop sustainable development measures in all sectors and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. ReliefWeb
• The International Organization for Migration on Sunday increased its estimate of the death toll from a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea to more than 670 as emergency responders and traumatized relatives gave up hope that any survivors will now be found. CBS News
• The Australian government has issued updated travel advisories for Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, emphasising safety precautions due to ongoing security risks, natural disasters, and infrastructure challenges. Insurance Business
• The crisis over the U.S. debt ceiling - an issue with the potential to damage the global economy - prompted Biden to postpone visits to both Papua New Guinea and Australia to allow him to return earlier to Washington. Reuters
• Neighboring nations like Pacific Island Countries, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea are as threatened by China's regional assertiveness and ambitions as they are vulnerable to climate risks. Japan Up Close
• China and the Solomon Islands recently signed a defence pact that could allow Beijing to set up a military base on its islands near Papua New Guinea, a partnership that has been criticised as leaving the Solomon Islands vulnerable to being dragged into war. The Independent
• With the prime ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu not attending, the meeting of the Melanesian sub-group will be so depleted as to be almost pointless. The Guardian
• Singapore and Papua New Guinea, both Asia Pacific countries, will start identifying potential carbon projects that can support both countries' climate goals. Eco-business
• The International Organisation for Migration on Sunday increased its estimate of the death toll from a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea to more than 670 as emergency responders and traumatised relatives gave up hope that any survivors would now be found. India TV News
• South Pacific defence ministers - from Australia, New Zealand, Chile, France, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga - have for years identified climate change as the single greatest threat to their security. United States Institute of Peace
• On the geopolitical front, the relationship between Papua New Guinea and China will continue to draw close scrutiny from Australia and the United States. World Politics Review
• Like other Pacific Island countries, Papua New Guinea would prefer not to take sides in geopolitical competition between China and the United States and its partners, as Papua New Guineans worry doing so could adversely affect their country. United States Institute of Peace
• Barrick anticipates the Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea to produce its first ore this month, with the first gold production in the first quarter of the following year. ShareCafe
• A new A$ 2.6 million ACIAR-funded project in Papua New Guinea will improve and expand in-land fish farming to boost livelihoods and enhance food and nutrition security. ACIAR
• Papua New Guinea does not need fossil gas for its own energy needs and has the potential to cover 78% of its on-grid energy needs from renewable energy by 2030 were appropriate financing made available. Global Trade Review (GTR)
• Despite a restriction on the maximum draft of ships passing through the Panama Canal, lower water levels have not posed the threat that some had feared. Unofficial Networks LLC
• Perhaps nowhere are the risks more severe than the Darien Gap, a remote rainforest bandit country between Colombia and Panama that is the only land route between South and Central America. The Guardian
• A potential early start to Panama's dry season and hotter-than-average temperatures could increase evaporation and result in near-record low water levels by April. Reuters
• Water levels in the Panama Canal are likely to remain exceptionally low for months despite forecasted short-term improvements, meaning no end in sight to the prolonged disruptions hampering vessels transiting the vital shipping artery. MarineLink

Last updated: 13 June 2025