The Acting Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea Hon. Justice Panuel Mogish, today officially opened the Training on Practical Application of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct for members of the judiciary from Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific.

In his address, Justice Mogish welcomed distinguished guests and participants from Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, noting that their presence reflects a shared commitment to strengthening judicial integrity and upholding the rule of law throughout the region.

The workshop is a collaborative initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Papua New Guinea and the PNG Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), with generous funding support from the European Union. The Acting Chief Justice acknowledged Aadil Mansoor, UNDP Resident and the leadership of Dr. Alma Sedlar and her UNDP team, the expertise of Ms. Emily Patterson, UNDP consultant and facilitator and the coordination of Justice John Carey, Judge Administrator of PNGCJE, Assistant Director and Program Officer Stacey Levakia -Wali and Tongia Kekebogi Program Officer PNG Judges, whose combined efforts made the event possible.

Acting Chief Justice Hon. Mogish emphasized that the Bangalore Principles—independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, and competence and diligence—are the living foundation of judicial practice worldwide. He reminded participants that judicial authority is inseparable from public trust, which must be earned daily through fairness, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.

The training program is designed to move beyond theory, focusing on practical applications of the principles in real-life judicial contexts. Through dialogue, case studies, and peer learning, participants will:

· Deepen their understanding of the Bangalore Principles;

· Share experiences on integrity challenges unique to Pacific jurisdictions;

· Discuss ethical dilemmas encountered in judicial practice; and

· Strengthen awareness of how judicial ethics safeguard public confidence in the justice system.

Acting Chief Justice Hon. Mogish also reflected on the unique challenges faced by Pacific judiciaries, noting that while courts operate in diverse cultural, social, and political contexts, the values of judicial conduct remain universal. He encouraged participants to engage fully in discussions, bringing forward experiences, questions to foster honest dialogue and reaffirm their shared commitment to judicial excellence.

On behalf of the Judiciary of Papua New Guinea, the Acting Chief Justice expressed gratitude to UNDP, PNGCJE, and the European Union for their unwavering support in advancing judicial ethics and integrity in the region.