The East Sepik Province has officially joined the Miss Bird of Paradise (MBOP) Papua New Guinea Pageant, becoming the sixth province to sign onto the national platform. A formal partnership agreement was signed on Friday, August 1st, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the MBOP initiative across the country. The signing ceremony was witnessed by committee members from both the MBOP national organization and the newly formed Miss East Sepik Pageant Committee. This partnership paves the way for East Sepik to host its first-ever provincial pageant and send a representative to the national stage later this year. The Miss East Sepik committee is led by Chairperson Susil Nelson, with Dulciana Somare-Brash serving as Deputy Chair, Jacinta Wagambie as Treasurer, and Fiona Nelson as Secretary. The team also includes dedicated Sepik women leaders: Kate Apinur Maino, Estelle Walters, Luanne Saun, Anna Nawara, and Wavie Kendino Leki. Speaking at the ceremony, MBOP PNG Chair Anna Bais praised the East Sepik team for their commitment to advancing a platform that not only empowers young women but also promotes tourism and advocates for marginalized communities. “As a national platform, we are thrilled to welcome East Sepik during our Golden Jubilee year,” Bais said. “We believe this expansion helps us reflect the full beauty and diversity of Papua New Guinea.” This year, all 22 provinces will be invited to participate in the national pageant, set to take place in December. The winner will go on to represent Papua New Guinea on the regional stage. In a new initiative, the home province of the crowned national queen will also host the national pageant in 2026. The MBOP PNG Committee extended its best wishes to Team East Sepik as they prepare to stage their inaugural event and crown their first Miss Bird of Paradise East Sepik.