Calendar of Events 2024
Events and Conferences
The Chamber plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) economic landscape, particularly in the mineral and energy sectors.
By hosting international and local conferences, workshops, and seminars, along with producing industry-relevant publications, the Chamber serves as an indispensable bridge between the government and the industry.
Its focus on key policies and legislation that impact both the sector and the nation at large is instrumental in fostering a conducive environment for growth and development.
Events and Conferences
The PNG Resources and Energy Investment Conference is a premier event, bringing together an impressive array of participants, including representatives from the Papua New Guinea and Australia Governments, Resource Sector Ministers, and Industry Leaders. This gathering is designed to spark discussions on the future direction of PNG’s Mining and Energy sectors, against a backdrop of rising global demand for minerals and energy and increasing concerns over environmental and social responsibility.
The conference emerges as a critical platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue on sustainable strategies for exploiting these valuable resources. The involvement of government representatives, industry leaders, and sector ministers highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in navigating the sector’s future.
Historically, the resource sector has been a cornerstone of economic growth and development in PNG, with the Mining sector playing a crucial role in revenue generation and job creation. Similarly, the Energy sector, with its offshore oil and gas projects, has significantly contributed to the nation’s finances. Despite these achievements, the sector faces challenges in environmental sustainability, community involvement, and fair benefit distribution.
Looking ahead, the conference aims to tackle these issues, exploring opportunities for responsible and sustainable investment. It is anticipated that discussions will cover a broad spectrum of topics, from technological innovations that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact to policies that enhance local content and community participation.
Additionally, the conference will highlight PNG’s dedication to responsible resource development, seeking to draw global investors who share the nation’s vision for a balanced approach to extraction that prioritizes environmental conservation and community welfare.
The PNG Resources and Energy Investment Conference & Exhibition marks a crucial juncture for PNG’s Mining and Energy sectors. It provides a unique opportunity for government officials, industry leaders, and sector experts to come together and forge a path towards a sustainable and thriving future for the country’s resource industry.
The PNG Community Affairs and National Content Conference & EXPO (CANCONEX) heralds the beginning of an era in PNG’s history, as it launches the first significant conference and exhibition in 2023, dedicated to enhancing awareness and driving engagement in community affairs and national content within the mineral resources and energy sector. This pioneering event aims not only to spotlight success stories but also to catalyze collaborative efforts toward achieving lasting benefits for all stakeholders involved.
The Chamber, recognizing the paramount importance of community affairs and local content, has championed CANCONEX as a vital platform. This initiative is expected to set a new precedent for domestic business conferences in PNG, with attendance projected to surpass any other event of its kind this year. The theme, ‘Promoting National Participation for Sustainable Communities’, reflects a forward-looking vision, emphasizing the event’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusive growth and sustainable development across the sector.
Looking ahead, CANCONEX is poised to become a cornerstone event, inspiring a series of future gatherings that will continue to build on the foundations of community engagement and national content. This evolution promises to further enrich PNG’s mineral resources and energy sector, paving the way for more inclusive and sustainable practices that will benefit communities for years to come.
Papua New Guinea successfully took center stage at the inaugural Papua New Guinea–Asia Investment Conference in Hong Kong, a landmark event organized by the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy, in close collaboration and support from the National Government of Papua New Guinea. This premier conference served as a strategic platform to showcase PNG’s potential and strengthen investment ties with major Asian economies, including China, Japan, India, and Korea. The PNG Government embraced this opportunity to enhance its trade and investment connections, positioning itself as an attractive destination for Asian investment and collaboration.
The event provided a unique opportunity to share the success stories of Asian investment in Papua New Guinea, demonstrating how PNG’s exports of energy, minerals, and more are supporting Asian markets’ growth. Participants gained valuable insights into the mutually beneficial relationship between PNG and Asia, exploring the critical role PNG plays in the global trade and investment landscape.
Following Prime Minister Marape’s announcement of the event, there was an exceptional show of interest from companies within both PNG and Asia, eager to participate and explore the abundant opportunities presented. This enthusiastic turnout underscored the conference’s significance as a pivotal moment for fostering business relationships and exploring new investment avenues between PNG and its Asian counterparts.
The conference agenda featured enlightening presentations from the Prime Minister and the PNG Government, outlining the vast investment and trade opportunities available within the country. Success stories of Asian investment in PNG were highlighted, providing tangible examples of successful collaborations and the benefits they bring. Additionally, discussions on how PNG’s resources are fueling the growth of Asian economies illustrated PNG’s indispensable role as a key supplier to the region.
Reflecting on the event, it was not just a meeting but a milestone for PNG in its journey towards deeper economic integration with Asia. It served as an essential convening for Asian investors with interests in PNG, those looking to invest, and PNG companies engaged in trade with Asia, among other stakeholders. The conference marked the beginning of a new era of increased connectivity, investment, and mutual prosperity between Papua New Guinea and the dynamic markets of Asia, promising a future filled with collaboration and shared growth.
The Emergency Industry Emergency Response Challenge (EIERC), previously known as the National Mining Emergency Response Challenge, was initiated by the Mines Inspectorate of the Mineral Resources Authority. Its growing popularity and the increasing involvement of oil and gas sector teams led the Chamber to take over as the event’s organizer in 2017.
The most recent EIERC took place in 2019 in Port Moresby, drawing teams from the major Mining, Petroleum, and Energy projects. Ok Tedi Mining Limited emerged as the champions of the 2019 challenge and is reportedly gearing up to defend their title in 2024.
The Chamber has officially announced that the 2024 EIERC will return to Port Moresby in the first quarter of the year. This edition of the challenge will feature a comprehensive set of 8 activities, including a theory exam and seven diverse physical emergency rescue activities covering land, air, and sea scenarios. Notably, the maritime challenge will be reintroduced, marking its first appearance since 2017.