PNG CORE welcomes inaugural meeting of NPA board

The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) has welcomed the inaugural meeting of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Board held in Port Moresby last week.

PNG CORE’s Interim Executive Director, Philip Samar, commended the new leadership team led by Petroleum Minister Hon. Jimmy Maladina and Chairman Hubert Namani, acknowledging that the Board’s early convening is a strong first step toward establishing a solid governance foundation for the Authority.

“Regular board meetings are central to good governance. They provide clear oversight, ensure accountability and support transparent and informed decision-making,” said Mr. Samar.

“For Papua New Guinea’s petroleum and energy sector, where projects require significant long‑term capital investment, strong governance and regulatory stability are critical to maintaining investor confidence. An active and engaged board is essential in setting strategic direction, monitoring performance and managing risks in the best interests of stakeholders and the country.”

Mr. Samar further encouraged other regulatory agencies across the industry to adopt similarly independent boards to strengthen accountability, bolster investor confidence and deliver better outcomes for Papua New Guinea.

PNG CORE looks forward to ongoing constructive engagement with the NPA board andmanagement to advance policy alignment, strengthen regulatory clarity and support the responsible development of PNG’s petroleum resources. PNG CORE is committed to backing initiatives that drive stronger governance, improved transparency and long‑term sustainable growth across the extractive industry.