In an era of heightened geopolitical competition and growing climate vulnerability across the Pacific, development partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to citizens are more important than ever. On Monday in Port Moresby, the European Union and the Government of Papua New Guinea marked a new phase of cooperation with the launch of the “Water Wise Communities” project—an initiative designed to improve access to clean and safe water in both rural and urban areas.
The occasion, symbolised by a mock signing ceremony at the Water PNG office, saw Ms. Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), sign on behalf of the EU. Mr. Koney Samuel, Secretary of the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, represented the PNG Government.
A Strategic Shift from Commitments to Implementation
While the event may have lacked the pomp of traditional signing ceremonies, it was heavy with symbolism and strategic intent. The EU’s grant funding, along with a concessional loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and an investment grant, forms a multi-pronged financing package to tackle one of PNG’s most chronic infrastructure gaps: access to reliable, clean water.
The focus on water is both timely and crucial. Nearly half of PNG’s population still lacks access to basic drinking water services, with many rural communities facing serious challenges related to sanitation, hygiene, and climate resilience. Against this backdrop, the EU’s support is more than developmental goodwill—it is a calculated investment in PNG’s long-term stability and sustainability.
Whole-of-Government Alignment and Local Ownership
The project will be anchored through a Project Management Unit (PMU) within Water PNG, the state-owned utility. This reflects a growing trend in development cooperation: anchoring donor-funded projects within national systems rather than creating parallel structures. If managed effectively, this can strengthen institutional capacity and promote sustainability.
The PMU is expected to deliver technical assistance, support infrastructure delivery, and build systems for long-term operation and maintenance. The project’s design aims to balance urban water supply improvements with rural water system upgrades, in line with PNG’s development priorities under MTDP IV and the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Policy.
EU’s Soft Power Strategy in the Pacific
For the EU, the Water Wise Communities project is not just about pipes and pumps—it is part of a broader soft power strategy in the Pacific. As the region becomes increasingly contested by major powers including China and the United States, the EU is positioning itself as a reliable, values-driven development partner that prioritises climate resilience, human rights, and inclusive growth.
The EU’s emphasis on sustainable infrastructure, concessional financing, and institutional reform aligns well with PNG’s long-term goals. The presence of Ms. Ferran and other high-level EU and EIB officials at the event underscores Europe’s intent to deepen engagement with Pacific Island countries—not just as aid recipients, but as strategic partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Looking Ahead
As with any infrastructure project in Papua New Guinea, the success of the Water Wise Communities initiative will depend on implementation integrity, local ownership, and transparent procurement. Past water projects in PNG have suffered from delays, cost overruns, and weak maintenance systems. The hope is that the new PMU within Water PNG will avoid these pitfalls by embedding capacity, leveraging donor expertise, and engaging local communities from the outset.
Secretary Koney Samuel’s presence at the signing also signals high-level political commitment. And if PNG is to meet its Vision 2050 ambitions and improve its Human Development Index ranking, access to safe water must move from development rhetoric to daily reality for its citizens.
In the words of one official at the ceremony: “Water is life, and this partnership is about safeguarding life for generations to come.”