Western Highlands Province (WHP) will be one of the first provinces in the country, to improve water at selected rural markets across the province made possible through the PNG-Australia Partnership. This Water Security Project will be piloted from 2023, starting off in WHP this year, followed by East Sepik & Morobe Provinces next year, 2024. Access to reliable and clean water sources is still a challenge in Papua New Guinea and is also a key development and climate change policy priority for Australia. What this project will do is provide support for the provincial government to strengthen their governance systems and institutional capacity to improve essential service delivery, in this case, it is that of the water service. The Water Security Project is a demonstration of how Australia is partnering with PNG Provincial Governments as well as local stakeholders to ensure that such projects and others like it are a success and sustained in the long run. Markets in the WHP will be the focus of the Water Security Project as these places are the lifeblood of the informal economy of Papua New Guinea, largely considered to be community hubs where people amass to trade and do business to improve their livelihoods and contribute to regional prosperity. The markets were prioritised and selected by a technical working group led by the Western Highlands Provincial Administration, comprising of representatives across various sectors, including civil society. The technical working group will also establish governance mechanisms that include leading a committee of local stakeholders who will provide project oversight, leadership, and decision-making. Governor of Western Highlands Wai Rapa, MP, presented a cheque of K1 million to Australia High Commission Minister Counsellor, Ms. Penny Morton, fulfilling the province’s co-contribution commitment to the Water Security Project. Rainwater tanks and collection facilities will be set up in markets, ensuring the people in the markets and the surrounding community, have access to safe and quality water supply. The Water Security Project will be implemented across the three provinces over 2023-2025, with Australia investing up to K15 million in total over this period.