Papua New Guinea National Research Institute

Papua New Guinea National Research Institute
Name	Papua New Guinea National Research Institute
Formation	1960s
Founder	Australian National University, University of Papua New Guinea
Type	Research institute
Headquarters	Port Moresby
Location	Papua New Guinea
Leader title	Director

Papua New Guinea National Research Institute is a statutory research organization based in Port Moresby focused on applied social, economic, and policy research for Papua New Guinea. It engages with regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum and funding partners including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. The institute publishes policy briefs, working papers, and books used by policymakers in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, provincial administrations like Morobe Province and international agencies including the United Nations Development Programme.

History

The institute traces origins to research units established during the Australian administration of Papua and New Guinea and early academic collaborations with the Australian National University and the University of Papua New Guinea. It developed through institutional reforms linked to independence in 1975, interactions with the Cabinet of Papua New Guinea, and policy needs arising from events such as the Bougainville conflict and resource debates over projects like the Ok Tedi Mine and the PNG LNG Project. Over decades the institute adapted to shifts driven by engagements with the Commonwealth of Nations, donors including the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, and regional research networks such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

Mandate and Functions

The institute's statutory mandate emphasizes evidence-based analysis for decision-makers in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, provincial administrations, and international partners including the United Nations agencies. Core functions include policy research on livelihoods in provinces like East Sepik Province and Western Province, evaluation of development initiatives supported by the Asian Development Bank, and advisory roles in natural resource negotiations related to entities such as Oil Search and Newcrest Mining. It provides technical support for legislation considered by the National Executive Council and policy inputs relevant to regional forums like the Pacific Islands Forum.

Organizational Structure

Governance historically involved a board with representatives from academic institutions including the University of Papua New Guinea and donor partners such as the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The institute houses research divisions covering areas aligned with ministries such as the Department of Treasury (Papua New Guinea), natural resource management connected to the Minerals and Energy Resources Authority, and social policy related to agencies like the National Department of Health (Papua New Guinea). It maintains field liaison offices for provinces affected by projects similar to Porgera Gold Mine and collaborates with international research centres such as the Australian National University and the Griffith University.

Research Programs and Publications

Research programs span economic policy studies influencing decisions at the Treasury and analyses of rural development in districts like Kokoda and Mendi. Outputs include working papers used by donors such as the Asian Development Bank, peer-reviewed articles in journals connected with the International Development Research Centre, and books distributed to libraries including the National Library of Australia. The institute has produced studies on topics related to the Bougainville Referendum and post-conflict reconstruction, fisheries management linked to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, and governance issues involving the Ombudsman Commission (Papua New Guinea).

Funding and Partnerships

Funding has come from bilateral partners such as the Australian Government through agencies like AusAID and multilateral institutions including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Strategic partnerships extend to universities like the University of Queensland, regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and international NGOs comparable to Oxfam and Care International. Contract research has been commissioned by corporations involved in extractive industries like Barrick Gold and civic instruments such as the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea.

Impact and Criticisms

The institute's research has informed budget deliberations in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea and policy reforms in areas overseen by ministries such as the Department of Education (Papua New Guinea) and Department of Health (Papua New Guinea). Criticisms have included debates over perceived donor influence associated with funding from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, questions about accessibility of outputs to communities in provinces like East Sepik Province, and scrutiny over independence amid partnerships with corporations such as Oil Search. Academic reviewers from institutions like the Australian National University and advocacy groups including Transparency International have periodically highlighted issues of transparency, capacity, and relevance to local stakeholder priorities.

Category:Research institutes in Papua New Guinea Category:Organisations based in Port Moresby