United Development Foundation (UDF), a locally established non- government and charitable foundation, which was recently registered with the Investment Promotion Authority in 2025 is now changing lives of youths, school children and locals in the remote district of Sol Nomane Karimui in Simbu Province.Foundation Director Mr. Joseph Boi highlighted that the establishment of the foundation is basically to improve lives of individuals and communities across Papua New Guinea though sustainable community development, education, empowerment and humanitarian assistance.“UDF is committed to promoting education by donation of library books and educational resources to assist disadvantage students to enhance their learning”.Recently two different donations of library books and resource books were made to Kaliwai Primary school as well as Doliba Primary school in Sol LLG of Sol Nomane Karimui District, Simbu Province.”On behalf of the two schools who received the donation, Mr. John Brul, Head Teacher of Doliba Primary school expressed gratitude to the UDF and Director Mr. Jospeh Boi for the generous support that will greatly enhance the student learning.“Your support is not only just books, but a bank of knowledge given to the children”.“We are grateful for your partnership and dedication to our schools in the district, and we look forward to a continued relationship as we continue to work together to create a better and brighter future for the children”, Mr. Brul added.UDF Director, Mr. Boi further added that the foundations other missions are restoring peace and reconciliations, women empowerment, youth empowerment, support to agricultural activities and livelihood, to promote climate resilience and environment conservation and partnership with churches through outreach programs.“Through collaboration with communities, government agencies, churches, development partners and volunteers, UDF strives to build peaceful, educated, resilient and self-reliant communities under the foundation’s motto, “Our People, Our Future”, aiming to reach the unreached and change lives.”

Fresh water fish farmers in the Highlands Region are urged to embrace for loss of fish lives and fish farming closing if El Nino persists.This was highlighted by Mr. Jacob Towa of Tower Fish Hatchery in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province. Mr. Towa stated that Tambul Nebiliyer District has been experiencing frost in recent times, and this has placed threat on Talipia and Curp fish who are often used to moderate temperature; however, for trout farming it continues as usual because trout fish love cold weather. Mr. Towa further added that if the El Nino pattern persists, water levels in all fishponds will dry out and it will be a serious disaster for all freshwater fish farmers. "Most farmers depend on creeks to supply fresh water supply into their fishponds and sadly most creeks are drying up slowly."Towa also stated that he is afraid that if El Nino continues, his fingerling supply chain in Western Highlands province and throughout the highland region will collapse in business, however at this time he is preparing for the worst. "Right now, I am getting ready for the worst, I have my pipes ready, my water pump ready and hoses ready to pump water from the nearby river into my ponds if and when water starts to dry or drop.""I would like to urge other fish farmers to also buy water pumps and pipes to use to pump fresh water to their ponds when pond starts to dry up". Towa further advised fish farmers to take note that when bringing in fresh water into their ponds, they are to let the water run into the ponds for about 1-2 hours in the morning and during the evening, thus, this will help supply oxygen to the fishes in their ponds. "Fresh water fish farming is our livelihoods, and I would like to call on local members and provincial government to make funds available to assist not only fish farmers but other famers also to be disaster prepared during this El Nino period".

Eight modern tractors were officially handed over to the Norikori Rice Project in Obura-Wonenara District, in the Eastern Highlands Province recently.To mark a significant milestone in Papua New Guinea’s journey into achieving rice self-sufficiency, the Republic of Korea has come onboard with the donation of the eight (8) modern tractors on Thursday, 25 June 2026, thus making a major milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce its dependence on imported rice while creating new opportunities for farmers, rural communities and the national economy.These tractors were donated by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), while additional modern rice farming machinery and equipment were funded by the National Government through the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.All the equipments were officially handed over by His Excellency Choi Jong Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Papua New Guinea, in the presence of Hon. John Boito, Minister for Agriculture, Dr Sergie Bang, Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and Mr. Koren Rokas Maso, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Rice and Grain Board. Also present was Ms. Jeong-Eun Song, KOICA Country Director, a visiting KOICA regional representative, Eastern Highlands Provincial Administrator Mr. Allan Los, other dignitaries including the local-level government presidents, ward councilors, customary landowners, and the Obura-Wonenara people.The ceremony highlighted the enduring partnership between Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Korea, built on a shared vision of strengthening food security, improving agricultural productivity, creating employment and promoting sustainable rural development.Speaking during the event, Minister Boito thanked the Government and people of the Republic of Korea and KOICA for their continued investment in Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector.He said agriculture remains one of the Marape-Rosso Government’s highest priorities as it seeks to transform the national economy by empowering local farmers to produce more food domestically.“Every bag of rice we produce here in Papua New Guinea represents income for our farmers, employment for our people and money that stays within our economy instead of flowing overseas through imports,” Minister Boito said.He added that the Government was committed to accelerating rice development and commercialisation across the country and had appointed Mr.Maso, through a National Executive Council decision, to lead the expansion of the national rice programme.Minister Boito said future commercial rice operations were expected to be expanded to areas including Unggai-Bena in Eastern Highlands Province, Baiyer in Western Highlands Province, Vanapa and Launakala in Central Province, and the Central Sepik Plains.He further highlighted that the Norikori Rice Project would serve as a national demonstration center, showcasing modern mechanised farming, farmer training, technology transfer and commercial rice production techniques that could be replicated throughout Papua New Guinea. The newly delivered machinery is expected to improve every stage of rice production, from land preparation and planting to harvesting and post-harvest processing. It will also allow the project to increase production while providing practical training for farmers from across the country.

Four (4) hours' drive out of Popondetta town and into the forest of Ijivitari District in Afore Local Level Government lies the ruins of what was ones a beautiful busy Bird Watching area and Guest house.The Duivi Bird Watch Guest house and sanctuary was first established in 2007 by local member David Arore when he was first elected to power as member for Ijivitari.The Duivi Bird Watch Guest house and sanctuary is located at the ward 1 of Afore LLG and was put under the watch of Chief Daniel Bonu of the Onduru Village.Full ownership was given to the locals to manage the Duivi Watch Guest House and the Bird watching sanctuary; however, with no proper management, in less than a decade the Guest house ran down and the Bird watching program ended.Today the ruins remind as another empty old run-down structure right in the middle of the rain forest.A youth from Afore and member of Managalas Conservation Youth Foundation Mr. Deil Sariusa highlighted that back in the glory days of the Duivi Bird Watch Guest house, tourists would come from all over the world, especially bird watchers to take in the setting and watch some of the most majestic and vibrant species of birds in the Managalas rain forest.“People stop for picnic at that particular area, wonderful waterfall, gracious, beautiful scenario and it’s surrounded by bird melodies, sadly this place now stands a ruin and a memory for us who knew about its existence.”“However, we the youths of Managalas are hopeful that one day these ruin structures will resurrect back to the vibrant life it once was,” said Mr. Sariusa.Sariusa emphasised the importance of restarting the bird watching program and the reestablishment of the run down Duivi Bird watch guest house, stating that the Bird watching guest house and sanctuary is right at the gate of Managalas Conservation area.“This needs to operate again so that tourist and visitors will get to experience the wonders of Managalas right at the gateway before exploring the entire Managalas Conservations area.”We are appealing to partners, donors and conservation organisation as well as the Tourism Promotion Authority to look into this and come to our aid and revive Duivi Bird Watch Guest house, because it will immensely benefit the locals.“If this opens again, it will open doors to economic opportunities, locals can sell their produce and artefacts and can benefit from being tour guides as well.”“We are also calling on our local member, David Arore to take the chance on this one project again and revive this project that he once established in the beginning of his political career.”

Youths of Managalas Conservation area in the Oro province have been reminded of why their ancestors decided to conserve their environment and why their fathers decided Managalas will become a conservations area.  The Managalas Conservation area is about 214,696 hectares of land under conservation and parts of the areas run to Safia, Kokoda, Popondetta Urban and even Oro Bay.Speaking during the environment day celebrations in Managalas was an Environment and Human Rights Officer Mr. Lester Seri placed emphasis on the importance of protecting the environment.Mr. Seri reminded the youths that the forest, land and the rivers are banks their ancestors withdrew food, water and shelter from and it still remains the main source where they now can also withdraw the abundance of life from, if they continue to protect their environment.Seri also highlighted that the work of conservation is a shared sentiment amongst other communities in other provinces such as Mt Wilhelm in Simbu Province, and other provinces like Milne Bay, New Ireland Province, Madang and the Bosavi area.Mr. Seri who is originally from the Tufi Area stated that his people have also fought for their land to become a conservation area; however, their cries was never heard by the government and logging has taken over their vast forest and they have taken this matter to court and it is still in court for over seven (7) years now.“Lest we forget that before Environment Day was initiated and established on June 5th, 1972, our ancestors were already living in peace and harmony with our environment, protecting it as well as getting food from it to sustain their livelihoods.”“We have one of the best environments in the world and as stewards of this land we must protect our environment now and for our future generation because this environment will help to sustain us.”He further added that Climate change is real, and it can be seen on all coastal villages and islands villages in our country where people had to move inland to live.He gave an example of the people of Daru Island in Western province, who have had to move to the mainland as their homes are now under water. Mr. Seri further added that climate change effects are now seen in overseas countries were extreme weathers and climate is affecting them from wildfires to flooding and cyclones.“We are fortunate because we still have most of our environment in place and extreme weather patterns are not experienced here because the environment helps to protect us; therefore, it is our duty to protect our environment,” said Seri.Mr. Seri also highlighted that the country is traditionally an agriculture-based country were everyone depends on mother earth for food supplies. He then reminded the Managalas youths that without proper care of the environment, agriculture will be impossible and when subsistence or commercial agriculture is impossible, then there is no means of getting an income for sustainability.“Take responsibility, this is our lifeline and teach our next generation to do the same.”Seri further thanked CIFOR- ICRAF and European Union, other partners and the Managalas Conservation Youth Foundation for their tremendous work in protecting the environment.

A grade 7 class of the Sangara Primary School in Popondetta in Oro province is marking World Environment Day this week, just after the rest of the schools celebrated it last week. The grade 7C class decided to hold their environment day event on Monday 08th June 2026.The students were all told to bring plants from home to plant at school to mark World Environment Day.Class teacher Ms. Elsie Taylor stated that this year’s celebration was given to individual class to come up with their own activities. The rest of the school celebrated last week, however her class decided to mark the Environment Day this week. During their morning awareness lesson, students were reminded of the importance of tree planting as well as the importance of looking after the environment.“Looking after our environment is everyone’s duty and schools play an important role in educating our youngsters to be good stewards of our environment.”“As young kids they need to understand the importance of our environment and how much we depend on the environment why it is important to protect it.’Ms. Taylor added also that their days program featured environment quizzes, riddles, question and answers as well as clean-up activities in and around the classroom and ended with planting different plants and tree seedlings.

The World Environment Day celebration at Afore station in Ijivitari District of Oro province, successfully concluded with the planting of 80 trees seedlings to mark their efforts in addressing Climate Change and to help reduce carbon dioxide on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. Before the commencement of the tree planting ceremony, all youth groups were given solar lamps and firewood burners, including World Environment Day merchandise. This was made possible by the European Union and Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF). Oro Deputy Governor Robin Safitoa was part of the afternoon program representing Oro Governor Garry Juffa who was away in Port Moresby for the Parliament Sitting. Speaking during his official speech, Deputy Governor Safitoa, reminded everyone that nature is not only their heritage but also their greatest ally in addressing the challenges of climate change. “The forest that surround us here in Managalas are more than just trees, they are life support systems that provide clean air, water, food, medicine, cultural identity and livelihoods for our people.” He added that for years, their ancestors have lived in harmony with these forests and have understood that the forest does not belong to the people. However, the people do belong to the forest. He reminded all the youths that climate change is no longer a distant threat with its impacts being witnessed daily through the changing weather patterns, prolonged drought, flooding, coastal erosion, and the increased vulnerability in the communities. “As custodians of one of the most biologically diverse provinces, we have a responsibility to protect our natural environment for our future generations.” “The forests of Oro province are among our greater assets. They play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating rainfall, protecting watersheds, and protecting biodiversity.” “Every tree conserved contributes to the global effort to combat climate change. This is why the Oro Provincial Government remains committed to supporting conservative initiatives throughout the province.” “We recognize that conservation is not simply about protecting trees, however, it is about protecting people, culture, livelihoods, and future opportunities.” All youths in attendance were encouraged to become champions of conservation. Ultimately, the World Environment Day celebration at Afore station ended with planting 80 tree seedlings of four different tree species, with the Deputy Governor taking the lead to plant the first seedling in front of the District Administration office.

Over 500 youths, including children and elders of the Managalas Conservation area in Afore Local Level Government (LLG) of Ijivitari District in the Oro Province, gathered yesterday at the Afore station to mark World Environment Day, a day ahead of the actual day on Friday 5th June.Youths came from the 10 zones of Managalas, Managalas East consists of Zones 5,6,7A,7B,8 and 9 and Managalas West consists of Zones 1,2,3,4 and 10, and celebrated World Environment Day under the theme, "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For our Future." The celebrations marked the start of 2 days celebration of Managalas Youth Conservation Camp and Climate Trail program which started yesterday and will end today, Friday 5th June 2026. This is a 3- day camp out program, which saw all participants camping on the main field at Afore station. The program line up consisted of speeches, drama and song presentation including tree planting, and a Trail walk program schedule for today from Afore to Tahama-Korywo and back to Afore, a 4 hour walk around the Managalas Conservation area. The program is purposely to celebrate 9 years of Managalas as a conservation area as well as a preparation program towards their 10th Anniversary next year. This is a first of its kind and the youths of Managalas are hoping for more similar programs to follow. Mr. Brian Kasira who was the founder of the Managalas Conservation during his opening remarks highlighted the struggle and the journey of this conservation area and encouraged youths to carry on the good work their fathers have set to protect their land and environment. Mr. Kasira encouraged the youths of Managalas to abstain from taking part in the consumption of illicit drugs and homebrew and to focus on taking care of their environment as well as their own lives. "Take care of your rainforest, the environment is your future because it will save you." "Managalas conversation will sustain your life, your children's life, it is your future, no foreigner or illegal company will take it away from you." The Managalas Conservation area is about 214,696 hectares of land under conservation and parts of the areas run to Safia, Kokoda, Popondetta Urban and even Oro Bay. The World Environment Day Managalas Youth Conservation Camp and Climate Trail celebration and programs is made possible by the local people of Managalas in partnership with the European Union (EU), Oro Provincial Government, Member for Ijivitari and its DDA, Synergies Development, Managalas Conservation Foundation and CIFOR- ICRAF.

The Ilimo Elementary school in the Hiri Koiari District of the Central Province held a small but significant celebration recently at the school ground to mark the opening of a brand-new classroom.The school's Head Teacher Mr. Wilson Eibe stated that the classroom took exactly 3 years to build and was fully funded with students outstanding tuition money after it was properly budgeted for school operations. “I am extremely proud of this accomplishment, and I thank all who were involved in the decision making and the construction phase.”“The initial shelter commenced in 2023; however, due to funding constraints the project was delayed until this year”. The shelter houses two classrooms; however, only one was opened on Friday and the other is still closed as it is not fully complete.  Ilimo Elementary was established back in year 1998 and located just beside the road along the Sogeri Road at 14- Mile, and since its establishment, the school has not been given any support in terms of classrooms or administration rehabilitations. Mr. Eibe, who has been the school principal for the last 26 years, stated that the school had only 5 classrooms, 2 prep classrooms, 2 elementary 1 and 1 elementary 2 classroom. Thus, opening of the new classroom will bring relief to the overpopulation in prep 2 classroom. Currently the student population stands at 293 students. Mr. Eibe further highlighted that despite being located closer to the Rouna Hydro, the school does not have a power supply or even water supply for children to access clean and safe drinking water. The school also needs an ablution block, but all this can be achieved if one donor is willing to assist the school. The school is seeking individuals, donor partners to assist the school. “All our students are sitting on the floor because we don’t have desks, and we also need to complete the other classroom, which is unfinished, but we can only hope for support to come our way.”

In an effort to be disaster ready, TISA Bank has partnered with the National Disaster Centre (NDC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and delivered a one-day Disaster training to its staff.Staff from the Physical Security department and the property department of TISA Bank were the ones who participated in the Introduction to Disaster Management Workshop on Friday 29th May 2026 at Lamana Hotel. The whole day training was facilitated by Mr. Peter Murorera Emergency Coordinator at IOM PNG. Mr. Murorera delivered a workshop on the introduction to Disaster management, why it mattered, Disaster Management Framework and Actors, Disaster Management Cycle, Community Based- Disaster Risk Management Approach and Preparedness and Basic Planning. The one-day training ended with the presentation of certificates to the participants. Mr. Tony George, TISA's Occupational Health Safety and Wellbeing Officer who was the person in charge of this training, stated that this is first of its kind, and Tisa Bank is happy to partner with NDC and IOM to deliver this critical training to Tisa staff. “Its first of its kind for a banking organization to partner with NDC and IOM to deliver such training”. “Emergency happens, we can’t control that, but the best we can do is get training that prepares us, equips us to Build a Disaster Management Plan to sustain the operation of the Bank during disaster periods.” Mr. George added also that Natural Disasters are not the only disasters to be prepared for; others include fire, civil unrest, and pandemics. All these are disruptions to organizational operation. “It’s about enabling us to get us through the disaster period and attending such workshop and discussion equips us to go back to our office and work together to build a framework on how best we can respond to natural disaster.” TISA is aiming to have more details trainings with partners, and TISA staff were encouraged to attended similar trainings that will follow suit any time soon as all these trainings are Free of charge. “When disaster hits any of our TISA Branch, we want to know how to respond, and everyone, every staff plays and important role when it comes to respond.” "All staff can work together and will know what is required to do so that customer services are not disrupted, there is no loss of business; therefore, such training is vital for preparations for operations during any disaster," said Mr. George.

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Vice President, Attorney General, and Minister for Independence Mission Implementation, Ezekiel Masatt, recently delivered a ministerial update to Parliament regarding the joint post-referendum consultations between the Government of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. During his address, Vice President Masatt outlined that there are three main key strategies guiding Bougainville’s political journey towards independence. 1. The Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) process which includes the referendum and ratification process, 2. The constitution-making process through the Bougainville Constituent Assembly (BCA), 3. And international lobbying. “Any one of them can happen, however, to give confidence and trust to this preferred option,” Masatt stated. “If we go back to the motion for BCA, we can amend laws, but we will still fall short when it comes to adapting.” Mr. Masatt added that this shows that all three strategies cannot work in this process toward independence because the preferred options for gaining independence through the BPA, were involved in the referendum and the peace agreement, which caused a lot of arguments and friction between the two governments.That was when a moderator was brought in that resulted in the Melanesian Framework agreed to in the Melanesian Agreement signed in June 2025. “This is the pathway forward for Bougainville Independence, now at the stage of Melanesian agreement where it is intendent to find practical model for Bougainville for independence.” “This model must never fall under the definition that falls short of the definition that the people had voted for in the referendum, apart from crafting out a model, focus is also on power and functions, capacity and funding, finding and knowing weakness and strengths.” He further highlighted that the national government has agreed to let Bougainville talk about and with sovereign powers; however, Bougainville still recognized the National Government as the sovereign power. “At most of the time the National Government often says there are no funds available, well Bougainville wants sovereign power so it can make strategic economic decision to solve some money issues faced by the government”, Masatt added. “Discussions are going very well on technical side and hope that in this current autonomous status we assume some sovereign power so we can have the power to make decisions and move peacefully through to independence and self-government.”

The Member for Moresby North- East, John Kaupa, has come out to clear the air on allegations made against him by a fellow Member of Parliament (MP) that had led to the damage of properties belong to his son residing in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province. According to reports, two vehicles with smashed windscreens were impounded on the premises of Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent John Kale in Goroka following a police raid last month on a private property upon a warrant issued by the MP for Sol -Nomane Karamui, Francis Alua. According to Kaupa, the Sol -Nomane Karimui MP obtained a search warrant on the property of the Moresby North- East MP’s son in Goroka upon suspicion that two vehicles parked in John Kaupa’s son’s yard in Asaro belong to the Moresby North- East electorate. John Kaupa in a press conference today clarified all these allegations and rumours surrounding this incident, stating that this was done purely on political interest because his son is intending to run for the Sol -Nomane Karimui seat in the 2027 national election. “I have no personal grudges against my good brother and Member for Sol-Nomane Karamui (SNK) Francis Alua. We are brothers from the same district, and I am surprised that such action was taken against me when Mr. Alua alluded that these two vehicles were sent by me to Goroka.” “Mr. Alua alluded that Moresby North- East (MNE) district vehicles were sent to Goroka is purely false allegations. I do not own a property in Goroka, and these two vehicles were never bought with district funds nor any MNE vehicles.” “I am a second term member of parliament and an accountant by profession, I am not stupid to send a MNE district vehicle to Goroka, we have political boundaries and we are metropolitan city, everything is screened.” Mr. Kaupa further added that Mr. Alua is a Lawyer by profession, and such allegations upon suspicion are not called for. “He should have done proper research with MVIL and check whose vehicles they are, plus check with MNE District office regarding records of these two vehicles.” Kaupa also stated that police have protocols to follow when responding to any allegations against Members of Parliament because it has to go all the way up to the Commissioner of Police before any action is taken; however, that protocol was never followed in this serious matter. “Police in Goroka have acted like criminals, and why were the vehicles locked up on PPC’s yard when they should be impounded at the police station if that was a police matter. All police personnel involve including the PPC will be put under investigation.” “I want to assure the people of Moresby North- East that this is a totally different issue that is not even connected to the Ombudsmen Commission investigation on my side.” MP Kaupa further reiterated that defamation of character is a serious offence one can do against another person, and MP Alua will definitely be charged for defamation of character. “My lawyer is currently working on laying charges regarding defamation of character as well as damage of the vehicles, plus will also look into the conduct of the police.” Meanwhile, the Moresby North- East District Administrator further added that all district vehicles are still in the National Capital District (NCD) engaging in projects and programs run by the district, and no vehicle was put on tender nor any vehicle purchased and sent out of Port Moresby. “Such allegations by Mr. Alua is a serious matter; MNE records are all here. MNE office can justify that no MNE vehicle was sent to Goroka to begin with, these are all false allegations.”