The Bougainville Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority (BACTA) has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Papua New Guinea’s National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) to fortify cultural heritage protection, build local technical capacity, and pave the way for major international World War II recovery operations.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony in Buka, Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Minister for Commerce, Trade and Economic Services, Hon. Robin Wilson, said the MoU strategically addresses longstanding legislative gaps that had previously constrained BACTA’s operations.
Minister Wilson explained that while BACTA had successfully drawn down powers from the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and the National Cultural Commission, its initial framework lacked the jurisdiction of three crucial national laws: the National Museum and Art Gallery Act, the War Materials Act, and the National Cultural Property Preservation Act. This new agreement bridges that legislative divide.
Minister Wilson emphasized that Bougainville’s turbulent history and deep-rooted cultural heritage are paramount to its economic and tourism development. He highlighted key world-class historical assets, including Admiral Yamamoto’s World War II crash site in Buin, the Little Tokyo military outpost, and historic wartime trails.
“Tourism is central to economic development, but it cannot thrive without an authentic product,” Minister Wilson stated. “In Bougainville, our primary product is our history, our culture, and our heritage. This MoU will strengthen local expertise, robustly protect our cultural assets, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities.”
BACTA Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mrs. Lorena Nanei, stressed that the partnership's success hinges on a strict three-year implementation plan outlining priority activities, specific budgets, and clear performance indicators.
“The success of this MoU will not be measured by the signing ceremony alone, but by the practical results we deliver together,” Mrs. Nanei said.
Mrs. Nanei identified the restoration of Bougainville’s independent museum infrastructure as a vital long-term priority. "In earlier years, Bougainville had its own museum, which provided an important place for preserving and showcasing aspects of our cultural identity and history. I believe this partnership with NMAG provides an important pathway towards realizing that vision once again," she said.
NMAG Director, Mr. Alois Kuaso, affirmed that the national institution is actively strengthening engagement with provincial and autonomous authorities to align heritage policies and provide direct technical support to ensure future generations understand their roots.
Highlighting the institutional significance, NMAG Deputy Director, Dr. Gregory Bablis, noted clear parallels between Papua New Guinea’s state-building transitions in the years leading up to its 1975 independence and Bougainville’s current political transition.
Crucially, Dr. Bablis revealed that the MoU establishes the required administrative pathway to safely resume international World War II recovery operations within Bougainville. This will allow specialized global partners—such as Japan’s Joint Accident Response and Recovery Working Committee (JARRWC), the United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), and South Korean delegations—to legally resume their missions.
The formal partnership will immediately facilitate technical exchanges, specialized staff attachments, and comprehensive capacity-building programs. These initiatives are designed to rapidly elevate BACTA’s structural ability to manage Bougainville’s cultural assets while remaining strictly respectful of customary ownership and local community protocols.
The MoU was formally executed by Mrs. Nanei and Mr. Kuaso, with their respective deputies signing as witnesses. The landmark ceremony was witnessed by Minister Wilson, ABG heads of departments, corporate stakeholders, and officers from the Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Services.