SPEAKING at the 2026 PNG National Research Institute (PNGNRI) Chairman’s Seminar in Lae, the Minister for Administrative Services, Hon. Richard Masere, MP, highlighted the urgent need for Papua New Guinea to modernise the way it collects, stores, manages and applies population data in this digital age.
Delivering his presentation on Overview and Challenges in the Digital Age, Minister Masere emphasised that quality population data is the backbone of effective governance, national planning, service delivery and credible elections. Without accurate and trusted data, governments cannot effectively plan schools, hospitals, roads, housing, employment programs or deliver essential services where they are needed most.
Minister Masere stressed that Papua New Guinea must transition towards an integrated national digital data system that allows key government agencies to work from one trusted source of information. Instead of multiple agencies collecting the same data independently, he said the country should embrace a coordinated approach where information is collected once, securely managed and responsibly shared to improve government efficiency and decision making.
He further highlighted the importance of strengthening Civil Registration, Village Record Books, Ward Records and the Common Roll as the country’s primary population database. These foundational systems, supported by modern digital technologies, will ensure that every eligible Papua New Guinean is properly recorded from birth throughout every stage of life.
With Papua New Guinea preparing to introduce biometric technology for future national elections, Minister Masere noted that the success of any biometric voting system depends on having accurate, up to date and verified population records. Technology alone cannot solve electoral challenges without credible data.
The Minister also called for greater collaboration among government departments, statutory authorities and development partners to break down institutional silos and build a secure, integrated national data ecosystem that supports planning, service delivery, economic development and good governance.
The two-day PNGNRI Chairman’s Seminar brought together policymakers, researchers, government agencies and development partners to discuss reforms aimed at improving population data collection, storage, management and application for planning, elections and other national purposes.