Historic Visit Sparks Hope for Youth Employment in Port Moresby 2025

PORT MORESBY — A landmark visit by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is sparking new hope for tackling youth unemployment in Papua New Guinea.

In August, Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, ICA’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, arrived in Port Moresby to officially launch cooperative initiatives designed to transform the lives of thousands of unemployed youth. It marks the first time a senior ICA official has visited PNG to directly engage with grassroots cooperative development.

Mr. Iyer, who represents cooperative networks across 60 countries and over one billion members, traveled from India at the invitation of Mr. Brian Waffi, one of PNG’s most passionate youth advocates and agricultural innovators.

---

From Courtrooms to Crab Farms

Once a legal professional, Waffi traded his courtroom career for muddy boots and a vision. As a former Registrar of Cooperative Societies, he launched ambitious projects to help young people turn farming into a pathway for income and stability.

Over the past two years, Waffi has trained more than 800 youth in aquaculture, poultry, pig farming, and crop cultivation. His approach is simple but effective: train youth, register their cooperatives, and guide them toward self-employment.

“My dream is to inspire 1,000 youth to see farming as more than just a job—but as a way to change their lives and their communities,” Waffi said.

Already, settlements like Gerehu, Morata, and Hohola have formed cooperatives, selling fresh produce and fish at weekend markets.

---

ICA Meets PNG’s Local Passion

Founded in 1895, the ICA is one of the world’s largest non-governmental organizations, representing more than 3 million cooperatives worldwide. Its mission is to promote self-help, democracy, and solidarity through cooperative development.

Mr. Iyer’s visit aligns with the International Year of Cooperatives and with PNG’s renewed government push to integrate cooperative principles into national development. During his stay, he met with Commerce Secretary David Ganai and National Cooperatives President Reuben Yapi to discuss policy reforms and market access.

To honor the occasion, PNG’s cooperatives gifted Iyer a coconut basket from the Witu Coconut Growers and premium coffee from Unen Choit Cooperative in Morobe Province.

---

Launching a New Era

At the heart of the visit was the launch of a new cooperative initiative spearheaded by Waffi and supported by ICA. The program aims to create sustainable employment for thousands of street youth by connecting them to farming, training, and international markets.

“Let’s find markets and find international markets,” Waffi said at the launch, flanked by youth leaders and ICA delegates.

The initiative blends local ingenuity with global solidarity, offering a model for economic inclusion that’s already attracting attention from development partners across the region.

---

A Future Rooted in Cooperation

As PNG struggles with high youth unemployment and widening inequality, the cooperative model presents a fresh solution. With ICA’s global network and Waffi’s grassroots leadership, Port Moresby could become the food bowl of the Pacific—and a beacon of youth-led transformation.

For now, the seeds have been planted. With each tilapia pond, crab farm, and banana patch, young Papua New Guineans are learning to grow not just food, but futures.

📌 For more on cooperatives in PNG, visit the Cooperative Societies Unit or learn more about ICA’s mission on the International Cooperative Alliance website.

This series of articles titled “Beyond Jobs” was inspired by Brian Waffi’s story and his farm dream that’s supporting a lot of youths.

REMEMBER! When applying for a job, it’s crucial to include a cover letter that clearly outlines your interest in the position and your suitability for the role, along with an updated curriculum vitae. Here are 5 valuable tips on crafting emails that grab attention and get read, as well as advice on structuring your CV to make a strong impression. By following these guidelines, you can enhance your application and increase your chances of landing the job you desire.