August 2025

Improving water governance in PNG

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research report
by Grant Walton, Safa Fanaian, Tim Davis, Simon Wanga, Sonia Yeung, Turea Wickham, Kolis Rua, Donald Kanini, Shirlee Rovou, Ezra Maris
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Abstract:

This small research activity aimed to identify opportunities for improving water resource governance and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) service provision in Papua New Guinea.

The activity engaged national and subnational stakeholders, as well as community members involved in water policy and in setting up two of PNG’s first District WaSH Committees in South Fly and Wewak. By mapping governance networks and the key concerns of stakeholders and marginalised communities, the study highlights opportunities and challenges for improving water governance and WaSH service provision.

The research was guided by four key objectives:

  1. Develop and undertake network governance analysis of district WaSH committees in two districts in PNG.
  2. Identify those empowered and excluded from decision-making around water use and allocations.
  3. Consolidate knowledge and support policy and practice to link WaSH and water resource management (WRM) governance at the local scale.
  4. Consider how WRM could be further incorporated into subnational planning and decision-making.

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Suggested citation:

Walton GW, Fanaian S, Davis T, Wanga S, Yeung S, Wickham T, Rua K, Kanini D, Rovou S and Maris E. (2025) Improving water governance in PNG, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra.