East Sepik has become the first province in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to roll out the National Youth Engagement Strategy 2025–2029 across an entire province.

The program was initially being piloted in one Local Level Government per district before expanding all 28 LLGs in the province.

The rollout followed a four-day Youth Online Registration and Socialisation Program involving LLG managers, provincial officials, divisional heads and other stakeholders.

The training concluded with the signing of LLG Youth Engagement Action Frameworks between the East Sepik Provincial Administration, districts and the National Youth Development Authority.

Seven LLGs have begun the initial registration process, including Numbo, North Wosera, Ambunti Rural, Drekiker, Wewak Urban, Maprik Urban and Angoram.

The strategy aims to register young people and connect them to education, employment, training and other opportunities.

Acting Deputy Provincial Administrator for Social Services, Mr. Emanuel ToMarum, spoke on behalf of Provincial Administrator Mr. Torovi, who was unable to attend the launch.

He said the initiative was more than a data-collection exercise — it was the first practical step to putting every young person in the province on the national record, “visible, counted and connected to opportunities.”

“The Prime Minister James Marape has made the call already -youths must be mobilised and counted: government alone can't achieve this it needs a collaborative effort – you and me must play our part.”

“The National Youth Engagement Strategy 2025–2029 was launched to encourage collaboration, establishing the online registration portal as the central youth database nationwide so that every young Papua New Guinean — out of school, in informal work or seeking a pathway — can be identified, referred and supported.”

The province plans to extend the rollout to the remaining 22 LLGs and aims to engage 60-thousand youths under the strategy by 2029.