I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the CIMC for inviting me to this significant event—the 2025 National Development Forum- Strengthen the Rule of Law for the future generation of our country. It is an honour to address you today on matters of national security, particularly regarding the operations and ongoing work of the National Intelligence Organisation (NIO) of Papua New Guinea in the National Security theatre.

Background of the National Intelligence Organisation

The NIO, established under the National Intelligence Organisation Act, has a critical mandate to collect, collate, and disseminate intelligence information to the government. This encompasses all issues—both domestic and international—that impact our national security. The NIO plays a vital role in ensuring that the government receives the best advice for policy formulation and critical decision-making.

Since its inception in 1974, the NIO has undergone significant transformations. Initially attached to the police, it has evolved into a dedicated intelligence agency. Over the years, progress has been made under various Director Generals, although the extent of these improvements has often depended on the support provided by successive governments. I will not dwell too much on the past but will focus where PNGNIO is now at this stage.

 Current Focus and Initiatives

As I stand before you, I want to emphasize the current priorities of the NIO under my leadership. Our foremost goal is to empower the Organisation to effectively address the evolving national security trends, both internally and externally. The threat environment continues to shift, influenced by globalization and other factors including the evolution of Technology and AI.

With the current NIO Act 1984, the mandated functions have limited NIOs operability in the space of intelligence given the evolving changes in shapes, type and forms of threats that we are face today. The amendment of the act will provide a conducive but a real time approach in dealing with National Security issues.

To this end, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the PNGNIO Act, which has not been updated since its inception in 1984. This review process began last year, and we anticipate completing regional consultations this year before presenting the revised Act to Parliament for enactment.

The review of the PNGNIO Act 1984 coincides with significant reforms initiated by the current government, notably the establishment of National Security Agency (NSA). This agency is designated as the central coordinating body of all national security matters, aligning with the recently updated National Security Policy for 2024-2029 that provide the architectural framework of our National Security Sector.

The revised PNGNIO Act aims not only to empower the organisations to fulfill its mandated functions effectively but also to ensure its alignment with the National Security Policy, which emphasizes the importance of six (6) intelligence communities. Within this framework, the PNGNIO is positioned as the lead agency for the Intelligence Community, reinforcing its critical role in the national intelligence landscape.

In addition, we are committed to enhancing the manpower capacity of the Organisation over the next few years. This will involve a major restructuring of our organizational framework to ensure that we are adequately positioned to address security issues nationwide, especially in light of our growing population and the increase in the dynamics of threats we are faced this days.

 Addressing National Security Threats

 When we talk about National Security threats, what do we mean?

The threats to our national security are multifaceted and include:

Transnational criminal activities;

Cross-border smuggling of illegal weapons and illicit drugs;

People smuggling and trafficking;

Threats to major resource projects;

Tribal conflicts spilling over into urban areas;

Economic espionage;

Domestic and international terrorism;

Border incursions;

Food & Energy Security;

Cyber-attacks; and

many more national security threats.

These issues pose significant challenges to our sovereignty and national security. It is imperative that we remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts to mitigate these threats.

Support from the Government

I am pleased to report that the Marape/Rosso Government has shown strong support for the NIO’s initiatives, particularly through the recently launched Medium-Term Development Plan 4 (MTDP 4), in particular Strategic Priority Area 6, Deliberate Intervention Program 6.6, which emphasizes the improvement and enhancement of the NIO’s capacity and capabilities. We are also actively working on internal policies to ensure that the Organisation is agile and effective in executing its mandated functions so that it can be able fully function as an intelligence organisation.

 Support from international partners

Papua New Guinea National Intelligence Organization (PNGNIO) operates under the guiding principle of the nation’s foreign policy, “Friends to all, enemies to none.” This approach underscores PNG’s commitment to fostering collaborative relationships with neighbouring countries and other Pacific Island nations, particularly on issues that collectively impact regional national security.

The emphasis of these diplomatic engagements and cooperative efforts is to facilitate the sharing of critical information among nations, thereby safeguarding our national security interests. This collaborative framework not only enhances security but also creates a conducive environment for sustainable development to flourish.

 Coordination and Collaboration with other Stakeholders/Agencies

Coordinating with other state agencies in the sectors and other private entities continues to be the challenge in ensuring information and intelligence are shared on a timely manner.

 

However, that has become a thing of the past as the sector is now reinforcing the mechanism and farmwork/system that will enable information and intelligence sharing is properly regulated in the sector to achieve the outcome thru the establishment of the National Security Agency (formally OSCA) that will provide an oversight and coordination in this regard.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to stress that national security is a prerequisite for development. Without a secure environment, our progress will be hindered. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard our nation against potential threats, whether they arise from state or non-state actors. Hence, having this forum thru CIMC provides that leverage and forum to cross check how far we have journeyed in the last 50years and how far can we go in the next 50 years in our efforts to Strengthen the Rule of Law for the future generation of our country.

Let us work together to ensure that we protect our national interests and foster an environment conducive to growth and development. National security is indeed everyone’s responsibility.

 

Thank you & God Bless

A new intelligence sharing agreement has been signed to enhance cooperation between international agencies, ensuring a safer global environment.