World-renowned judges, lawyers and policymakers to gather in Port Moresby for landmark international event
Papua New Guinea will welcome some of the world’s leading judges, lawyers, academics and policymakers next week as delegates from across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and the Americas gather in Port Moresby for the LAWASIA Environmental Law Conference 2026. Hosted at APEC Haus from 19–21 August 2026, the conference will place Papua New Guinea at the centre of global discussions on climate change, environmental governance, sustainable development and the rule of law.
Jointly hosted by LAWASIA, the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE) and the Papua New Guinea Law Society, with the support of the South Pacific Lawyers’ Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the conference will bring together internationally recognised experts to examine one of the defining challenges of our time: how courts, governments and legal institutions can strengthen the Environmental Rule of Law in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
As one of the world’s most biodiverse nations and home to hundreds of indigenous communities, Papua New Guinea provides a uniquely important setting for discussions on environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable development. The conference will showcase Papua New Guinea’s growing leadership in environmental governance and reinforce its role as an influential voice in advancing environmental justice throughout the Pacific region.
With climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental disputes increasingly affecting communities across the Pacific, the conference comes at a critical moment. Delegates will explore how legal systems can respond effectively to environmental challenges while protecting natural resources, supporting economic development and safeguarding the interests of future generations.
Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika GCL, KBE, CSM, OBE said:
“Climate change, environmental degradation and the sustainable management of natural resources are among the greatest challenges facing our generation. The rule of law must remain at the centre of the global response. This conference brings together some of the world’s foremost legal minds to share knowledge, strengthen institutions and advance practical solutions. Papua New Guinea is proud to host this important gathering and to contribute to the development of environmental justice across the Pacific and the wider international community.”
The conference will formally commence on 20 August 2026 with an opening session featuring leaders of the legal profession and judiciary from Papua New Guinea and abroad. Welcome remarks will be delivered by Mr Teong Liang Yap, President of LAWASIA; Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika; Mr Hubert Namani, President of the Papua New Guinea Law Society; and Mr Steven Thiru, President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. Hon. Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi GCL, CBE will deliver a keynote address on the importance of upholding the Environmental Rule of Law in contemporary society.
The conference programme will examine the nature and content of the Environmental Rule of Law, its implementation and enforcement, emerging threats to environmental governance, the role of courts and institutions, environmental dispute resolution, and strategies for strengthening judicial capacity in environmental law. Distinguished speakers will include judges, lawyers and academics from Papua New Guinea, Australia, India, Fiji, Malaysia, Kenya, Guyana, the United Kingdom, Brazil and other jurisdictions.
The conference will conclude with a keynote address by Hon. Justice Antonio H. Benjamin, Chief Justice of Brazil, one of the world’s foremost judicial authorities on environmental law. Closing remarks will be delivered by representatives of LAWASIA, the Papua New Guinea Law Society and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association before His Excellency Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae formally closes the conference.
This landmark event will reaffirm the commitment of the international legal community to strengthening environmental governance, protecting indigenous rights, promoting sustainable development and ensuring that the rule of law remains a powerful instrument for addressing the environmental challenges of the twenty-first century. Papua New Guinea is honoured to host this important global dialogue and to showcase its leadership in environmental justice and judicial excellence.
AT A GLANCE
Event: LAWASIA Environmental Law Conference 2026
Venue: APEC Haus, Port Moresby
Dates: 19–21 August 2026
Theme: The Environmental Rule of Law
Hosts: LAWASIA, PNGCJE and the Papua New Guinea Law Society
Supporting Organisations: South Pacific Lawyers’ Association and Commonwealth Lawyers Association
Participants: International judges, legal practitioners, academics and policymakers from across the globe.