PNG Forest Authority

: The PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) has confirmed that no legal action has been filed against the authority by any non-government organisation (NGO).

Acting Managing Director John Mosoro said he is not obligated to respond to what he described as unsubstantiated statements made by NGOs regarding the authority’s operations.

Click this link and read full story now: https://thepngbulletin.com/news/pngfa-confirms-no-legal-action-filed-against-authority/

NEC submission for Forestry SEZ

The Minister for Forest Hon. Salio Waipo and the Minister for International Trade and Investment Hon. Richard Maru, today, jointly signed seven submissions to go before the National Executive Council (NEC).

The submissions are seeking NEC’s consideration and approval for the establishment of seven Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to be set up for the forestry sector in East Sepik, West Sepik, Madang, Morobe, Gulf, Central and East New Britain Provinces.

Prime Minister James Marape last year upon his return from COP30, announced that round logs exports will be banned in PNG in December 2025, however, this has not been implemented yet, hence the submission is the first step being taken to address the gradual phasing out of round logs exports and promoting downstream processing in the country.

Minister for Forests Hon. Salio Waipo described the joint signing as the way forward to get all the SEZ in the forestry sector in place. He said that together with the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) business arm, PNG Diwai Holdings Limited (PNGDHL), he looked forward to working closely with foreign investors, with Minister Maru and all seven respective Provincial Governors to go downstream processing in the country.

He added: “We will have a lot of negativities for what we are doing, but we have to start somewhere. There will always be criticisms, but our government policy says to ban round logs, so we must find a way to deliver on this but ensure our people benefit fully from their resources.

Minister Maru said of the occasion: “we are now taking the first serious step into putting an end to round log exports. Under this partnership, we are looking at giving incentives to companies who will downstream process all our logs through a joint venture with PNGDHL. We will do individual instead of blanket arrangement because each project will have different tree species, area size, product types etc.

“For Minister Waipo and I, the priority now is to get NEC to approve each of the projects, including Finschhafen in Morobe Province. I am happy that seven provinces are proposed and not just one, because as a government, we want to be fair.

“I am happy also that Morobe Governor Hon. Renbo Paita is here today because he is one of the champions of the SEZ Movement. When he was Minister, he enacted the legislation in 2019, and left it and I got it from him. I’m happy that he is taking part in this kind of exciting investment.

“Despite the criticisms we are going to get, our challenge is to get first one up and running, and of course get the government to revisit the current tax regime for the forestry industry. We can’t kill the industry. We need to grow it. Many parts of our country would not have roads without forestry. Forestry has a very important role to play and can be a major contributor to the economy,” Minister Maru said.

Earlier on, PNGFA Acting Managing Director Mr. John Mosoro when giving the opening remarks said: “This is a very unique and important signing ceremony which begins the implementation of the MOU signed earlier on between PNGDHL and the Department of Trade and Investment for the establishment of the SEZs for forestry.

The SEZs will result in the establishment of Forestry Industrial Parks. Once NEC approves the submissions, project specific agreements for each project will then be developed, where incentives such as tax exemptions, amongst other benefits, will be considered.

“Forestry is trialing out the SEZ and is taking the lead as a pioneer,” Mr. Mosoro said.

He commended the two Ministers for their leadership saying: “The submission will allow the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to come in when we sign these and show them that the government is serious about going into downstream processing in the forestry sector.

“We will face challenges in the process. However, let’s not wait but trial it out. We will gradually phase out round logs exports and go into downstream processing. We will also acquire land for forest plantation establishments to feed these downstream processing facilities that we will have.

Both Minister for Forests and Minister for International Trade and Investment commended Mr. Mosoro for his foresight and leadership in making the commitment during the SEZ Conference, and it is becoming a reality in sectoral, that is Forestry SEZ declared as Forestry Industrial Parks. Governor Paita also commended the acting Managing Director for the strategic alignment in SEZ under Forest Management Agreement areas for the first time in the country.
The Governor vowed to work closely with PNGFA to establish a first downstream processing facility in Finschhafen District.

PNG Forest Authority Appoints Control Union as Independent Third-Party Verifier

The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Control Union (PNG) Limited today at the PNGFA premises. This pivotal agreement formally appoints Control Union as the independent third-party verifier responsible for monitoring log exports and forest produce nationwide. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing transparency, legality, and sustainability within PNG's forestry sector.

Click on the link to read the full article: https://thepngbulletin.com/news/png-forest-authority-appoints-control-union-as-independent-third-party-verifier/

: PNGFA celebrates 14th International Day of Forests

Papua New Guinea Forest Authority commemorates the 14th International Day of Forests (IDoF) from March 20th-21st, 2026.

The IDoF is celebrated annually globally by the 194 United Nations member states, which includes Papua New Guinea.

“As the Minister for Forests, I am happy to commemorate the 14th International Day of Forests, a day dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the critical role forests play in sustaining life on our planet,” Minister Salio Waipo said.

“The IDOF, proclaimed on December 21st, 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) celebrates the importance of forests and trees for current and future generations.

“In PNG, the National Executive Council, recognized UN’s proclamation of the IDOF in 2013 and we started commemorating the day the following year.

“PNG is an active participant in the UNGA, marking 51 years of membership this year. It frequently advocates for climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development,” Minister Waipo said.

Meanwhile, PNGFA Acting Managing Director Mr. John
Mosoro said that forestry is one of the country’s major economic sectors and continues to bring in its fair share of revenue earnings annually.

“In 2025, the sector and industry recorded the harvesting of 2.06 million cubic metres of logs from which an indicative 1.6 million cubic metres of logs were exported.

Still in 2025, the indicative log export FOB value registered was K566.8 million, log export duty payable to the State was K244.9 million, with the Log Export Development Levy (LEDL) amounting to K13.0 million. PNG exported 150kg of Massoy Bark which earned USD450,000 (K1.85 million). The other processed products totalled 124,054 cubic metres earning USD40.7 million (K167.9 million). Royalty paid to resource owners in 2025 indicatively stood at K37.4 million.

“Key uses of Forests include providing Livelihood & Economic Value which this year’s theme “Forests and Economies” falls under. They provide food, medicine and also generate revenue through tourism, recreation and sustainable harvesting.

“Forests also hold cultural and social significance whereby they host sacred value for many indigenous cultures, offering spaces for tradition and spiritual practices, especially for our country PNG.

“Forests help mitigate noise pollution and protect against harsh solar radiation and continue to be the lungs of our home planet, the earth,” Mr. Mosoro said.

He acknowledged his hard-working staff both at the headquarters as well as in the provinces and project sites saying “I acknowledge my staff at headquarters and those in the 22 provinces and project sites on this special occasion. Thank you for your efforts in making this year’s IDOF a reality. Thank you also for being committed to fulfilling your respective roles and responsibilities which ensure PNGFA’s goals and objectives are met.

“I must stress that Forests are importantly the habitats for a vast majority of the world's terrestrial species of plants, animals and insects. However, God created us uniquely as human beings to be custodians over the forests to ensure they are used wisely today and preserved for future generations,” Mr. Mosoro said.

As part of the commemorative activities, the first day we had convoy of floats designed by staff themselves to the theme of Forests and Economies. The floats make their way up to Kuriva Forestry Station. Staff also planted trees.

On Saturday, the actual IDOF, 21st March, 2026, the staff converged to Alewai, Hula in Central Province for a tree planting session there. The provinces also have their respective programs on.

THE Papua New Guinea Timber Legality Standard (PNGTLS) is an important driver of the Government’s policy on downstream processing, according to PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) managing director John Mosoro.

The issue was discussed during a consultation held at the University of Technology in Lae on Friday.

Mosoro said the authority was working on a transition plan with TLS and other amendments to laws governing the forestry sector.

Read More: https://www.thenational.com.pg/forestry-authority-to-introduce-new-reforms-on-laws-governing-sector/

Women in Forestry Information Network visit House Ruth

Today, members of the Women in Forestry Information Network visited House Ruth, a safe house that provides refuge and hope for women and children from abuse.

Members donated essential items to support mothers and their little ones.

The visitation was part of celebrating International Women's Day with the theme 'Give to Gain.'

NFA launches EU forest program for Sepik provinces

The PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) successfully launched the EU - FCCB (European Union - Forest and Climate Change and Biodiversity) National Forest Inventory (NFI) Program for East and West Sepik provinces on Friday 20th of February, 2026 in Wewak - East Sepik Province at the Village Inn Resort.


The Acting Managing Director of PNG Forest Authority John Mosoro said the purpose of the NFI for the two Sepik provinces is to determine the total forest stock to enable future carbon trading as an alternative to logging.

Click on the link to read the full article: https://thepngbulletin.com/news/nfa-launches-eu-forest-program-for-sepik-provinces/

Linking Forest Data with the Vision of Sir Michael Somare 🇵🇬

As approaches on 26 February, FAO acknowledges the legacy of Michael Somare in championing forest conservation. During the (NFI) launch in Wewak, the Head of Office connected the Grand Chief’s vision with ongoing climate and forest management efforts.

Forest conservation and climate finance 📊

Sir Michael Somare advocated for international support for countries that protect their forests. Today, PNG’s efforts are being recognized through climate finance mechanisms. A substantial level of support from the acknowledges the role of PNG’s forests in reducing emissions between 2014 and 2016. Priority areas include East and West Sepik, Western, Hela, Chimbu, and West New Britain.

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) 💐

The NFI provides the data needed for Papua New Guinea to report forest activity internationally. Teams spend weeks in remote forests measuring trees, plants, soil, birds, and insects. This information supports evidence-based provincial forest planning.

FAO continues working with the Government of Papua New Guinea, partners, communities, and landowners to manage forests sustainably and support rural livelihoods.

New Guinea Islands Regional Workshop

Theme: “Regional Update and Next Steps into Implementation of the Timber Legality Standard”

Today, stakeholders from across the New Guinea Islands gathered in Rabaul, East New Britain province to share experiences, feedbacks and foster way forward to implement the Timber Legality Standard in PNG.
Click on the link below to read more:

https://pngfa-live.eywaapps.net/news/pngfa-hosts-timber-legality-standard-workshop

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