Eastern Highlands Province has become the eighth province in the country and the first in the Highlands Region to complete the National Youth Engagement Strategy (NYES) 2025–2029 Socialization Program.
The three-day program, held in Goroka from June 3 to 5, brought together government officials, community and church leaders, youth representatives and development partners to finalize implementation plans, strengthen stakeholder capacity and formalize commitments for the rollout of the strategy across the province.
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The program concluded with the signing of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Joint Inception Implementation Plan by Provincial Administrator Allen Los and the Joint District Collaboration Framework by Kainantu District Administrator Dickson Penai, paving the way for the immediate implementation of the NYES in Kainantu District.
National Youth Development Authority Director General Joe Itaki in a statement said the milestone marked an important step in expanding the National Youth Engagement Strategy into the Highlands Region and strengthening youth participation in development initiatives at the provincial, district and community levels.
The National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) said the successful completion of the socialization program represented a significant step in the national rollout of the NYES 2025–2029.
As the first Highlands province to formally engage with the strategy, Eastern Highlands has established a foundation for expanding the NYES throughout the region, reinforcing efforts to make youth engagement and development a nationwide initiative.
The three-day program commenced with presentations on the NYES framework and consultations on two key implementation instruments: the Eastern Highlands Provincial Joint Inception Implementation Plan (JIIP) and the Joint District Collaboration Framework (JDCF).
Kainantu District was formally identified as the province’s designated pilot district for NYES implementation.
Provincial Administrator Mr. Los reaffirmed the Provincial Administration’s commitment to ensuring young people are actively engaged in development initiatives and opportunities throughout Eastern Highlands Province.
On the second day, stakeholders validated both the Provincial Joint Inception Implementation Plan and the Kainantu District Collaboration Framework.
Community Development Officers also received practical training on the NYES Online Youth Registration System in preparation for implementation at the district and community levels.
The program concluded with the formal signing of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Joint Inception Implementation Plan by Mr. Los and the Joint District Collaboration Framework by Mr. Penai.
The NYES Online Youth Registration System was also officially launched in Eastern Highlands Province and is expected to begin operations immediately in Kainantu District.
A key outcome of the program was the recognition of the strong alignment between the National Youth Engagement Strategy and the Saemaul Undong (SMU) community development model currently being implemented across Eastern Highlands Province.
The SMU Model has supported communities to work collaboratively in agriculture, entrepreneurship, skills development, income-generating activities and ward-level economic development.
Stakeholders said the NYES would complement these efforts by ensuring young people are actively involved in community development, training opportunities and local economic activities.
Participants also noted that the alignment was significant because the Saemaul Undong Model has been adopted nationally by the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, creating opportunities for collaboration across national, provincial, district, local-level government and community-based development programs.
The program attracted broad participation from Provincial Community Development Advisors, Provincial Administration Finance Managers, District Community Development Officers, Provincial Youth Coordinators, church representatives, community leaders and youth leaders.
Participants acknowledged that youth development must be treated as a whole-of-government and whole-of-community responsibility, with structured pathways for youth engagement extending from the provincial level to districts, wards and communities.
With Eastern Highlands now completing the program, eight provinces across Papua New Guinea have formally completed the NYES Socialization Program. Kainantu District has joined the growing list of designated pilot districts, while the online youth registration system is now operational in the province.
The NYDA said several other provincial governments have expressed interest in implementing the strategy, with planning already underway for additional provincial rollouts.
The National Youth Engagement Strategy 2025–2029 serves as Papua New Guinea’s national framework for coordinated youth development, providing a structured approach to youth engagement, skills development, civic participation and livelihood creation.
The strategy is being implemented by the National Youth Development Authority in partnership with provincial and local-level governments, national agencies, industry, civil society organizations and community groups.