Prime Minister James Marape has announced his government will stop all round log exports from the end of the year .

In the last decade Papua New Guinea has become the world’s largest exporter of tropical round logs while the logging industry has been blighted with allegations of illegal logging, human rights abuses, environmental destruction and financial crime.

ACT NOW has been actively campaigning for an end to round log exports as these are the main driver for large-scale logging and associated forest crimes that undermine good governance and the country's own Constitution.

Although we don’t yet know the detail of how the ban will be implemented, the PNG Forest Authority says the policy directive includes both a stop to new round log export permits and logging licences from 24 December 2025.

The PNGFA is planning a one-day National Forestry Sector Forum on December 18 to inform forestry sector stakeholders on the government policy and develop a Transition Plan.