Strategic Directions for Human Development in Papua New Guinea

There is an emerging consensus in Papua New Guinea (PNG) -- both at the governmental level and among civil society more generally -- that human development outcomes are far less than satisfactory and that service provision in many parts of the country is collapsing despite the significant level of both government and development partner financing of the human development sectors. In response, the government and the Joint Donors -- the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank -- embarked on a Human Development Review to suggest options for improving human development outcomes and government expenditure efficiency. In this review of strategy options for health, HIV/AIDS, and education, it is argued that human development sectors are at an important crossroad with a large unfinished agenda and a range of critical challenges.