KIRI KOIARI MP TO RAISE LAND CONCERNS AT PNG RESOURCE WEEK

WITH historic steps taken recently by Parliament to strengthen customary land governance, Chairperson of the Permanent Special Parliamentary Committee and Member for Hiri-Koiari Keith Iduhu, is expected to speak at the upcoming PNG Resources Week addressing customary land and land reforms.

The PNG Resources Week annually sees over 1500 delegates, landowners, and global industry stakeholders gather to collaborate on local content, career development, and transparency in Papua New Guinea’s energy and mining sectors.

Customary land uncertainties remain the single greatest risk to project timelines and Iduhu’s timely delivery is expected to unveil the new legal framework designed to address costly land disputes that plague PNG’s major projects.
Iduhu hopes to share his vision for a land reform framework that safeguards traditional ownership while unlocking opportunities for investment, responsible resource development, and long-term prosperity for Papua New Guinea.

Iduhu earlier noted during his report to parliament that: “These reforms will help ensure transparency in land administration, support sustainable development and safeguard rights of indigenous Papua New Guineans.”

The land Reform Initiative is grounded in the Mining Act 1992 and Oil & Gas Act 1998 which calls for equal sharing of development levies amongst identified clans, the need to provide legal framework for community participation, infrastructure and access rights in impact communities and equal distribution of resources amongst resource owners as required by the Organic Law.

The reform gives landowners a stronger voice through Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), in which landowners will have a greater role in decisions affecting resource projects. It further looks at creating economic opportunities so that land ownership arrangements through customary land are enabled to support business development, improve access to finance and create more opportunities for local communities.

Iduhu’s upcoming presentation during this significant event is a successful lead up from the committee’s endorsed report by parliament in March this year and results from extensive land reform consultations conducted throughout 2025 and early 2026 across all regions of the country.

The endorsement sets the framework for the proposed Customary Land Tenure Act 2026.

Through PNG Resources Week, discussions on such critical topics hopes to leave behind lasting impacts within the country’s resource sector and create a prominent platform for deep dialogue and discussions centred around shared prosperity for all Papua New Guineans.