The National Procurement Commission (NPC) was honored to participate in the East Asia and Pacific International Public Procurement Conference, held in Manila, Philippines, from April 28–30, 2025. The conference, themed “Procurement for the People: Bridging Innovation, Value for Money, and Accountability,” brought together procurement experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across the region to discuss transformative approaches to public procurement.
NPC was represented by Wesley Dickson and Board Member Mr. Mosely Elly, who engaged in insightful discussions on modernising procurement systems, with a focus on electronic government procurement (e-GP)—a key priority for NPC and Papua New Guinea.
The conference served as a valuable platform for learning and exchange, exposing attendees to cutting-edge innovations and international best practices in procurement. Several sessions stood out, including:
- Panel 3: “Raising the Bar: Professionalizing Procurement for Impact” – Highlighting the importance of skilled procurement professionals in driving efficiency.
- Panel 6: “AI Sandbox: Experimenting with the Future of Public Procurement” – Exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance procurement processes.
- Panel 8: “Unmasking Ownership: Enhancing Transparency in Procurement” – Reinforcing the need for accountability in public procurement systems.
These discussions provided crucial insights into transparency, efficiency, and digital transformation—key areas for NPC as it advances PNG’s e-GP agenda.
Engaging with procurement experts from Asia and the Pacific was particularly enlightening. The experiences shared by countries like the Philippines, which has made significant strides in procurement reform, offered valuable lessons for PNG’s own transition to e-GP.
The conference also highlighted the gaps between developed and developing economies in digitalization and sustainability. By adapting best practices to PNG’s context, NPC can ensure a gradual yet effective implementation of e-GP, improving efficiency, reducing delays, and enhancing accountability.
The conference was not only educational but also deeply motivational, demonstrating how e-GP has transformed public procurement in other nations by:
- Reducing delays and increasing productivity.
- Speeding up procurement processes.
- Enhancing transparency and accountability.
Inspired by these outcomes, Wesley Dickson and Mr. Mosely Elly returned with a renewed commitment to strengthening capacity-building and stakeholder collaboration in PNG. The knowledge gained will be instrumental in driving NPC’s procurement reforms, ensuring they deliver real value and transparency for the people of Papua New Guinea.
NPC extends its gratitude to the NPC CEO and the World Bank for facilitating this invaluable opportunity. The insights gained from the conference will play a pivotal role in shaping PNG’s procurement future.
