Project Background
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Parliament and the Bougainville House of Representatives (BHoR) are central to democratic governance in their respective jurisdictions. In PNG’s Westminster system, the executive is drawn from within the legislature, making parliament a pivotal arena for national debate, accountability, and decision-making. Similarly, under the Bougainville Constitution, the BHoR plays a vital role in lawmaking, oversight, and representation within the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB).

Recognizing the importance of these institutions to peace, democracy, and inclusive development, the Strengthening PNG’s Parliament Project seeks to build more effective, transparent, inclusive, and accountable parliaments. The initiative supports Members of Parliament (MPs) and Parliamentary Service staff to better use parliamentary powers, strengthen committee oversight, and improve citizen engagement in governance. It also enhances the capacity of both parliaments to interact with communities—particularly women and underrepresented groups—ensuring that parliamentary processes are participatory and trusted.
 

Project objectives

The project pursues four overarching objectives:

1. Support Members of Parliament to more effectively use their mandates for debate, lawmaking, and oversight on critical issues such as gender equality, inclusive economic growth, and climate and disaster resilience.

2. Strengthen Committee Oversight by equipping parliamentary committees in PNG and Bougainville to conduct transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based scrutiny of government policies and actions.

3. Build the Capacity of the Parliamentary Service, including:

   1. Committee secretariat staff who assist MPs in inquiries and deliberations;

   2. Research and library staff who keep MPs well-informed for evidence-based policymaking;

   3. Communications and outreach staff who strengthen public trust by making parliamentary work more visible; and

   4. ICT staff and infrastructure to modernize legislative processes and support innovation.

4. Enhance Citizen and Civil Society Engagement by enabling parliaments to consult and collaborate with citizens and organizations, thereby integrating diverse community perspectives into legislative debates and decisions.

Project Outputs
Output 1: Modernized legislative processes in Parliament leading to increased public engagement and a more responsive legislative body, with a specific emphasis on advancing gender equality and sustainability.
Output 2: Strengthened committee capacities for effective oversight, promoting a more inclusive and equitable development and democracy.
Output 3: A more responsive parliament through enhanced accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness, and fostering active civic engagement.
Output 4: Enhanced parliamentary support services.

Expected Results 

• Parliamentary processes in PNG are streamlined, making lawmaking more efficient, transparent, and accessible to citizens.

• Committees exercise stronger, evidence-based oversight, leading to more accountable governance and better policy outcomes in areas such as gender equality, inclusive economic growth, and climate resilience.

• MPs and parliamentary staff are better equipped to fulfil their roles, resulting in higher-quality legislation, improved scrutiny of government action, and more responsive resource allocation.

• Women’s participation and leadership in parliamentary work increases, ensuring that laws and policies better reflect the needs of all citizens.

• Citizens have greater trust and confidence in democratic institutions as parliaments operate more openly, engage directly with communities, and demonstrate accountability in decision-making.

• Both the National Parliament and the Bougainville House of Representatives become stronger, citizen-centered institutions that contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Status: Active
Time Frame:
Project start date: 1 June 2022
Project end date: 31 Dec 2027
Location: Papua New Guinea and Autonomous Region of Bougainville
Focus Area: Peace, Governance, and Inclusive Development
Beneficiaries: Government of PNG; Autonomous Government of Bougainville; citizens of PNG and ARoB
Partners: National Parliament of PNG; Bougainville House of Representatives
Donor(s): Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Budget: USD$ 9,480,915.00
Contact:
Irina Pruidze
Chief Technical Advisor
Email: Irina.pruidze@undp.org
Tel: +675 321 2877