THE inaugural Community Affairs and National Content Conference and Exhibition (CANCONEX 2023) commences today at the University of Technologyin Lae, Morobe Province.

With more than 700 delegates already registered, the Duncanson Hall at UNITECHis now set to hear from the PNG University of Technology Vice Chancellor Professor Ora Renagi, PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum President Anthony Smaré who will set the scene of the conference and conversations that will happen concurrently in the next three days.

The opening speeches as part of session one will also be live streamed to the Rose Kekedo Lecture Theatre.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape who takes the stage this morning will officially open the three-dayconference and exhibition to deliver the keynote address, encouraging landowners to make the most ofopportunities that are available from resource projects in the country, and Morobe Province Governor Hon. Luther Wenge to present the Governor’s address.

Other sessions during day 1 (one) will hearfrom key industry regulators presenting updates on Government policies that affect community affairs, conversations around benefit sharing structures and landowners, National Content and the most important topic, lessons from closure.

The final session of the day is set to draw significant lessons from the Panguna mine closure that has already triggered conversations happening prior to the start of this conference.

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Photo captions:

1. A delegate registering for CANCONEX 2023. 2. Exhibition booths being set up for CANCONEX 2023.

3. A delegate registering for CANCONEX 2023.

4. Student volunteers from the PNG University of Technology helping with the packing of CANCONEX 2023 merchandise.