I was honoured to address attendees of the Land Commission of Papua New Guinea’s Client Outreach Program at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday. As Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land Reform, my message was clear: land in PNG is not just a commodity; it is our culture, our spirituality, and our very identity.
With approximately 97% of our land held under customary tenure, we must address customary land reform. When systems fail, we see the consequences every day: disputes, eroded trust, and violent conflict.
Key points from my address:
Land is an Economic Asset: We must unlock the potential of our land to drive real socio-economic progress. Human Rights First: Reform must advance the rights of our people and provide tangible benefits for all citizens. Permanent Link: Land governance and customary reform are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. Transparency & Inclusion: Fair systems are the bedrock of human dignity and sustainable development.Our goal is simple: to ensure our land remains protected by law while being unlocked for development that benefits the many, not just the few 
My full speech is in the comments below.
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