PNG Chamber of Resources & Energy’s Women in Resources & Energy (WiRE) Committee Chair, Karo Maha, joined national leaders and advocates at Bel isi PNG’s seventh Leadership Forum on Monday, 21 September 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel, highlighting the role of leadership and the industry’s efforts to translate commitments on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Family & Sexual Violence (FSV) into meaningful action.
Held under the theme “Beyond the Ink: Moving GBV & FSV Policies from Commitment to Action,” the forum brought together leaders from government, development partners, civil society and the private sector to examine how organisations can move beyond policy frameworks and deliver practical outcomes for workplaces and communities across Papua New Guinea.
Speaking at the forum, Ms Maha said the resources and energy sector increasingly recognised its responsibility to contribute to positive social outcomes alongside economic development.
“Across our sector, we are seeing organisations move beyond policy and take practical action. Initiatives such as New Porgera Limited’s Women in Boots, Newmont’s Trupla Man, Trupla Meri and Santos’ support for the PNG Orchids show how industry can contribute to gender equality, challenge harmful behaviours and support positive change. Policies are important, but real progress happens when leaders turn those commitments into action and sustain them over time,” Ms Maha said.
Discussions at the forum reinforced the importance of ensuring policies are not treated simply as compliance requirements but are translated into practical measures that contribute to safer, more inclusive and respectful workplaces and communities.
The forum also featured keynote contributions from Dr Veera Mendonca, UNICEF Papua New Guinea Representative, and Hon. Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District, alongside a diverse panel that included Public Solicitor Leslie Mamu, Executive Director of the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat Diane Kambanei, and Vandhna Narayan of BSP Financial Group.
The panel, moderated by Ruth Kissam of Steamships Limited, focused on collective responsibility, leadership and sustained action. As Country Manager of New Porgera Limited and Chair of the Chamber’s WiRE Committee, Ms Maha contributed perspectives from the resources and energy sector, highlighting the importance of leadership, accountability and workplace culture in addressing GBV and FSV.
For PNG CORE and its WiRE Committee, participation in the forum reflects the industry’s broader commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting safe and respectful workplaces. It also provides an opportunity for the sector to contribute its experiences and perspectives to the national conversation on GBV and FSV.
The PNG Chamber of Resources & Energy congratulates Bel isi PNG on the successful hosting of its seventh Leadership Forum and acknowledges its continued efforts to bring government, industry, development partners and civil society together to turn commitments into meaningful action.
