Community Affairs and National Content Conference and Expo (CANCONEX)

When thanking MRDC for the partnership, which will support communication and development studies students, Unitech vice-chancellor, Dr Ora Renagi, said such partnerships are embraced as they prepare students for the outside world.

“We are happy to be providing the training through the department and we are also happy that MRDC, as a company, can come and support the training of the students.

“I’m very proud to say that with this type of relationship, it impresses upon the students to perform.

During his visit on Monday to the Community Affairs and National Content Conference and Expo in Lae, Prime Minister James Marape told the media that the Melanesian Spearhead Group has resolved to refuse deep-sea mining unless technology and research suggest otherwise. 

“Until technology and studies show that it can be done in an environmentally sensitive manner,” he told media. “You know, Papua New Guinea’s waters have the most fertile ground for tuna in the Pacific so we are also mindful about this.”

President of the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, Anthony Smare, outlined this when extending their gratitude to the 846 registered attendees at this afternoon’s closing of the event at the PNG University of Technology in Lae.

CANCONEX, which focused on maximising benefits and opportunities for landowners and landowner companies, had the Mineral Resources Development Company as its principal sponsor, had four platinum sponsors and 13 gold sponsors.

Described as a national event that, for the first time ever, focused on landowners and landowner companies, CANCONEX attracted 846 registered attendees, including five landowner companies in the mining and petroleum sector, and multi-national and national companies.

Before officially closing the event, Gulf Governor, Sir Chris Haiveta, reemphasised the Prime Minister’s sentiments on “local content”, describing it as a crucial part in the investment and development of mining and petroleum projects.

The second day of PNG’s inaugural event started with discussions on lessons learnt from the closure of the Panguna mine, which was operated by Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) from 1972 until 1989, when the Bougainville Crisis forced its closure. 

Sharing their experiences were the former chief executive officer of the Bougainville Development Corporation, Paul Nerau, PNG Council of Women’s former president, Theresa Jaintong, and Bougainville’s Minister for Community Government and Member for Ioro Constituency, Theonila Roka Matbob.

 The PM made the call during the first day of the inaugural Community Affairs and National Content Conference and Expo today at the PNG University of Technology in Lae, Morobe Province.

The event will run for three days, ending on Wednesday, August 30^th.

Marape outlined in his speech that ‘national content’ is the way forward in distributing the benefits of resource projects in the country to locals. 

The theme of the three-day event is ‘Promoting national participation for sustainable communities’, with over 830 participants registering by 10 am today.

Prime Minister James Marape said the theme is appropriate when the government is now formulating an overarching PNG national content policy for resource sectors.

He outlined that the conversation of taking back PNG is incomplete without capturing the benefits of resource projects that are harvested in our country.

With less than two weeks to go before the start (August 28th) of the inaugural event, more than 700 business delegates are expected to gather in Lae.

The demand in the host city has increased significantly, with many leading hotels and accommodations, transport and service providers already booked out for the duration of this event. This is a massive positive for PNG's second city, which is usually overlooked for national business events.

When providing an update on preparations for CANCONEX2023, PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum President, Anthony Smarè, encouraged landowners to register for CANCONEX 2023, as it would be the perfect opportunity to share their experiences, learn from others, and make new connections to leverage off the next wave of opportunities in the resource sector.