PAYA Strengthens Its Presence in PNG: Stakeholder Engagement and Afternoon Meet and Greet in Port Moresby

Strong partnerships are the foundation of meaningful impact. On 3 July 2026, the Pacific-Australia Youth Association (PAYA) spent the day engaging with government agencies, development partners, and members in Port Moresby, reinforcing its commitment to creating opportunities for young people across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

The day's engagements concluded with the PAYA Members' Afternoon Tea Meet and Greet, providing members, partners, and supporters with an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate important milestones. During the event, PAYA announced the establishment of its PNG Branch, marking an exciting step in strengthening its local presence and expanding opportunities for members throughout the country. Plans were also shared for the upcoming PNG Regional Summit, to be hosted in East New Britain Province.

A defining moment of the afternoon was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PAYA and the Institution of Engineers Papua New Guinea (IEPNG) Port Moresby Branch. This partnership reflects a shared vision of supporting young engineers, professionals, and future leaders by creating pathways for professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities.

PAYA also welcomed the support of Mr. Karan Rana, Chief Executive Officer and Honorary Trade Commissioner for Papua New Guinea at the India Commonwealth Trade Council, who attended the MOU signing and pledged sponsorship for the upcoming PNG Regional Summit. This commitment demonstrates the growing confidence that partners have in PAYA's vision and its ability to create lasting opportunities for young people across the region.

As PAYA continues to grow its presence across the Pacific, days like these demonstrate that meaningful change begins with collaboration. By bringing together government, development partners, professional bodies, and young leaders, PAYA is building the relationships that will help shape stronger communities, inspire future leaders, and create lasting opportunities for youth throughout Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific.