Stakeholder Engagement

Meaningful engagement with stakeholders is essential to the responsible development of the Papua LNG project. Communities, authorities, civil society organizations and local businesses all have a legitimate interest in how the project is developed and operated, particularly in regions where people maintain strong social, cultural and economic ties to their land and environment.

Stakeholder engagement is therefore a continuous process through which the project maintains open dialogue with external stakeholders, listens to their concerns, shares information and works collaboratively to address potential impacts. This process helps respect the rights of communities, manage non-technical risks and build trusted relationships over time.

The Papua LNG project’s engagement approach is guided by key principles including transparency, respect for human rights, participation, accountability and cultural sensitivity. Engagement activities aim to ensure that stakeholders are informed early, consulted on matters that affect them, and able to express concerns or grievances in a safe and accessible way.

Stakeholders include a wide range of groups from communities living near the project area to civil society organizations, government authorities, academic institutions and other businesses operating in the region. Through structured engagement processes and ongoing dialogue, Papua LNG seeks to build long-term partnerships and ensure that local perspectives are considered throughout the life of the project.

The Papua LNG project follows internationally recognized standards to ensure that communities potentially affected by project activities are informed and consulted in a meaningful way. This process is structured through the Information, Consultation and Participation (ICP) framework defined under the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standard 1.

ICP is an organized and ongoing dialogue process between the project and affected communities. It ensures that stakeholders receive timely, clear and accessible information about project activities and have opportunities to share their views and concerns. The objective is not only to inform communities, but also to integrate their perspectives into project planning and decision-making, particularly regarding potential impacts and mitigation measures.

The process begins early in the project lifecycle and continues throughout the various phases of development, including environmental impact assessments, construction, operations and eventual closure. The level and intensity of engagement are adapted to the level of potential risk or impact affecting communities.

LNG Value Chain Infographic - see description hereafter

When Indigenous Peoples may be affected, the engagement process follows the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as defined under IFC Performance Standard 7. This means engagement must respect customary institutions, cultural protocols and traditional decision-making processes. Dialogue must take place in good faith and provide communities with complete and understandable information before important decisions are made.

Through the ICP and FPIC processes, Papua LNG aims to ensure that communities are not only informed about project activities but also actively involved in discussions that may affect them.

ICP vs FPIC
Element	ICP (PS1)	FPIC (PS7)
Target population	All Affected Communities	Indigenous Peoples Communities
Nature	Consultation process (iterative, documented)	Process + outcome: free, prior and informed consent
When applied	By default when there are risks/impacts	Mandatory only when PS7 triggers occur
Objective	Achieve informed participation & integrate community views into decisions	Achieve culturally appropriate, documented consent
IFC references	PS1, Guidance Note 1, Stakeholder Engagement Handbook	PS7, Guidance Note 7

Beyond formal consultation processes, Papua LNG maintains regular, direct engagement with communities in the Project Area of Influence. Maintaining ongoing dialogue with local communities is essential to understanding their expectations, addressing concerns early and building long-term relationships based on trust.

This engagement is supported by a dedicated network of Community Liaison Officers and Village Liaison Officers who serve as a bridge between the project team and local communities. Their role is to facilitate communication, share information about upcoming project activities, and listen to community feedback and concerns.

15 Community Liaison Officers
30 Village Liaison Officers supporting

Through regular visits to villages, the stakeholder engagement teams explain project developments, environmental management activities and community development initiatives. These interactions also allow communities to raise questions or express concerns directly to project representatives.

To further strengthen communication, Papua LNG has supported the deployment of solar-powered radio systems in several villages along the Purari River, including Kaevaria, Apiope, Aumu, Aivai, Evara, and Poroi 2. These systems improve communication between communities and the project’s logistics site while also benefiting residents by enhancing connectivity. Approximately 2,000 people benefit from these installations.

Communities can also contact the project directly through a toll-free phone line (7011 1777) to ask questions, request information, or raise concerns.

Kavava community questions and statements during the session.

Providing communities with a clear and accessible way to raise concerns is an essential component of responsible stakeholder engagement. Papua LNG has therefore established a Community Grievance Mechanism, aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Under these principles, companies are expected to avoid causing or contributing to negative human rights impacts and to provide effective remedies if such impacts occur. The grievance mechanism is designed to ensure that individuals or communities who believe they are adversely affected by project activities can raise concerns and seek resolution in a structured and fair manner.

Grievances can be submitted through several channels, including phone calls, emails, written letters, or in-person discussions with community liaison teams. Once received, each grievance follows a clear procedure that includes acknowledgment, registration, investigation, and resolution.

The system is designed to be transparent, predictable and accessible to all stakeholders. The procedure is free of charge, and complainants may request confidentiality if they wish their identity to remain protected. Communities are also informed about the grievance process through engagement sessions and awareness activities to ensure they understand how the system works.

In 2024, 40 grievances were successfully resolved, with an average resolution time of 18 days. The mechanism is regularly reviewed and improved to strengthen its effectiveness and responsiveness.

The grievance mechanism also supports broader awareness initiatives. For example, safety brochures distributed along the Purari River inform communities about navigation safety and encourage residents to contact the project if concerns arise regarding river traffic.

Marine Community Brochure (English & Tok Pisin) A3 format

Community Grievance Brochure (English & Tok Pisin) A3 format

Stakeholder Engagement

Information, Consultation and Participation Process

Community Stakeholder Engagement

Community Grievance Mechanism