ISLP collaborated with local actors in Papua New Guinea to support affected customary
landowners in their efforts to achieve accountability for the loss of land, environmental
damage, and other harms from certain large-scale agricultural investments. In this effort,
ISLP worked with the Forest Management & Produce Certification Service (FORCERT),
the local chapter of Transparency International (TIPNG), customary landowners, and local lawyers. ISLP activities aimed to enhance capacity among civil society organizations and local lawyers in representing the needs and interests of affected local communities, as well as their efforts to fight corruption and advance inclusive and sustainable development. ISLP’s support included legal and logistical coordination with local partners to ensure that customary landowners’ interests were adequately represented and defended in legal proceedings, in accordance with due process and the rule of law. ISLP volunteers also analyzed relevant legislation from the perspectives of accountability, social participation, respect for customary land ownership, and adequate social and environmental safeguards.
