9th Biennial Provincial Disaster Coordinators Conference (PDCC) in WHP

Location: McRoyal Hotel - Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province

Date: 17–21 November 2025

Theme: “50 Years On: Reset, Realign, Resource and Respond – Building Resilient Communities Together”

Since its inception in 2003, the Provincial Disaster Coordinators Conference (PDCC) has been a cornerstone initiative of the National Disaster Centre (NDC), convened biennially to strengthen disaster risk management (DRM) across Papua New Guinea (PNG). The 9th PDCC brought together key stakeholders from across the country and the international community to share experiences, evaluate progress, and chart a path forward for more resilient communities.

The conference welcomed a diverse group of participants, including:

• Provincial Representatives:

  - Delegates from all 22 provincial administrations, including Provincial Administrators (PAs), Deputy PAs, Provincial Disaster Coordinators (PDCs), and disaster officers.

  
  

• National Government Agencies:

  - Department of Defence

  - Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council (NEC)

  - National Weather Service (NWS)

  - Geo-Hazards Management Division of the Department of Mineral Policy & Geohazard Management.

  - Climate Change & Development Authority (CCDA)

  - National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA)

  - PNG Fire Service

  - St. John Ambulance

  - PNG Defence Force

  
  

• International NGOs:

  - World Vision PNG

  - CARE International

  
  

• United Nations Agencies:

  - UN-HAT

  - UNDP

  - International Organization for Migration (IOM)

  
  

• Development and Donor Partners:

  - Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), Australia

  
  

• Organizing Body:

  - National Disaster Centre (NDC)

  
  

• Special Committee:

  - NEC-appointed Disaster and Emergency Response Review Committee

  
  

The conference was officially opened on 17 November 2025 and remarkable opening speeches were made by distinguished important guests, including:

• Mr. Hari John Akipe – Secretary for Defense & Chairman of National Disaster Committee

• Dr. Richard Howard Jnr – United Nations Resident Coordinator

• Mr. Joseph Mangbil – Western Highlands Provincial Administrator

• Mr. Lusete Laso Mana – Acting Director, National Disaster Centre

Their remarks emphasized the importance of coordinated disaster management efforts to be proactive rather than reactive and the need to strengthen partnerships across all levels of government and stakeholders.

Key outcomes and milestones from the week-long conference included:

1.  Launch of the New NDC Website: A modernized platform to enhance communication, resource sharing, and public awareness.

2.     Engagement with the NEC-Appointed Review Committee: The committee heard firsthand accounts from PDCs—the frontline responders—on challenges and opportunities in disaster and emergency response.

3.     Adoption of the Conference Communiqué: A unified document reflecting shared insights, endorsed by representatives from all four regions (Highlands, Momase, Southern, NGI).

4.     Announcement of the 10th PDCC Venue: The next conference will be hosted in Kokopo, East New Britain, in 2027.

5.     Retirement announcement of 3 Disaster Managers:

Three of the long serving disaster managers have announced their retirement at the conference. They are: Mr. Martin Mose – longest serving Acting Director of NDC and currently serve as Assistant Director for Community & Government Liaison Division; Ms. Janet Konabe – only female Provincial Disaster Coordinator of Manus Province; and Mr. Clemet Filfi – longest serving Provincial Disaster Coordinator for Sandaun Province.

Throughout the conference, participants:

• Shared their experiences and best practices in disaster risk management.

• Reflected on lessons learned from recent disaster responses.

• Identified critical gaps in current DRM strategies.

• Proposed actionable recommendations to enhance coordination, resource mobilization, and community resilience.

The 9th Biennial PDCC reaffirmed the collective commitment of all stakeholders to strengthen disaster preparedness and response across Papua New Guinea. The conference served as a vital platform for collaboration, learning, and strategic planning, setting the stage for a more resilient future.