Prime Minister and Pangu Pati Parliamentary Leader Hon. James Marape has
welcomed Pangu Pati Council Members, Provincial Executives, Branch Officials, Youth Representatives, Convention
Conveners and Party Faithfuls from across Papua New Guinea as the historic Party prepares to hold its National
Convention in Port Moresby this week.
The Convention will convene tomorrow (Thursday, 11 June, 2026), and continue into Friday, with Pangu Pati also
preparing to host a Gala Dinner on Saturday night to celebrate the Party’s 59th anniversary since its formal establishment
on 13 June, 1967. Prime Minister Marape said the Convention is being held in accordance with the Pangu Pati
Constitution, which requires Conventions before and after National General Elections. “Under my watch, we had a
Convention before the 2022 General Elections, we had a Convention after the 2022 General Elections, and we now have
a National Convention before the 2027 General Elections,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He said the Party Council will meet ahead of the Convention to affirm and confirm the Agenda, before Delegates gather
from all 21 Provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. “I want to welcome Pangu Pati faithfuls — those who
hold our Branches throughout our 21 Provinces and the Special Region of Bougainville, the Branch Presidents and
Secretaries, Members of the Convention, Youth representatives, and National Council members,” Prime Minister
Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape said Pangu Pati remains the country’s oldest Political Party and one of the most important
institutions in Papua New Guinea’s political history. He acknowledged the founding leaders of the Party, including Sir
Paul Lapun of Bougainville, and Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who took over the leadership in 1968. He said Pangu’s
history is inseparable from Papua New Guinea’s journey to nationhood, unity and independence. “Many great men have
served before. My time does not come equal to their levels, but from the time I took office in 2019 to today, we have
tried to reform the Party and modernise the Party without compromising the original Policy tenets and intent of our
country,” Prime Minister Marape said. He said Pangu Pati’s original Mission remains unchanged — to unite a diverse
country and ensure that every Citizen, Province, District and Community is included in national development. “Chief
amongst our principles is to continue to unite the country, making sure that the land of diversity we call PNG is given
reinforcement — no one left behind, everyone held together,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said, subject to Council endorsement, the Convention will be held under the theme “Pangu for
the Next Generation”, reflecting the Party’s focus beyond the 2027 National General Elections. “This Convention will not
just focus on the next Election. It will be about Pangu for the next generation,” he said.
He said the Marape-led Government has now completed seven years in office and will go to the people honestly,
openly and without fear. “We have seven years of being in office. We have done what we have to do. Some things are
still lagging behind, and we go to the Elections without fear or favour, without shame or regret,” Prime Minister
Marape said. “We will advise the country on what we have done, what is outstanding, and what we intend to do.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Convention will consider important Reforms to strengthen the Party’s structure,
constitution, leadership systems and policy direction going into the 2027 National General Elections and beyond. He
said proposed Constitutional amendments will be considered, but these will not tamper with the original spirit,
foundation and intention of Pangu Pati. “The reformation of the Party Constitution will take place without tampering
with the original main gist and main intent of the Constitution,” he said. Prime Minister Marape said one of the key
proposals will include leadership time limits and clear processes for the Parliamentary and Non-Parliamentary wings of
the Party, including the Party Leader, Deputy Party Leader and National Executives.
He said Pangu Pati is also looking at improving its Regional structure to better reflect Papua New Guinea’s geography,
population and diversity. This includes giving special recognition to Bougainville as a Special Region, while also looking
at restructuring representation in the Highlands due to its growing population and number of Provinces. Prime
Minister Marape said Pangu Pati will also use the Convention to develop and affirm key Policy positions, including its
view on Bougainville, as part of a broader blueprint to guide the Party into the 2027 Elections and beyond. “We are
also looking at getting our Party Policies going forward, including our views on Bougainville. This Convention will
endorse them, and we will take them forward as a blueprint to guide us into the Elections and beyond the Elections in
2027,” he said.
The Prime Minister also assured the country that all Party activities, including fundraising, will be conducted
transparently, formally and within the requirements of the law. “All these are being done consistent with the Organic
Law on Political Parties and Candidates,” he said. “We will be doing fundraising formally and properly. Those who want
to support the Party are asked to support within the provisions of law, formally. It is a tax-deductible contribution, and
it must be transparent and above board.” Prime Minister Marape also clarified that Pangu Pati has not yet selected
Candidates for the 2027 National General Elections. He said a fair and proper process will be established for those who
wish to seek Party endorsement. “We are not selecting Candidates as yet. No one is allowed to select Candidates. The
process through this Convention will put forward which Seats we endorse, which Seats we do not endorse, and the
types of Candidates we are looking at,” Prime Minister Marape said. He encouraged those wishing to run under Pangu
Pati to wait for the official process to be announced. “For those who want to run with Pangu Pati right across the
country, we ask you to hold back your applications, and there will be a fair process for everyone,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said even those who may not receive endorsement will still be part of the Party’s profile and
database, and will be treated fairly through the process. He said Pangu Pati is a national institution built on the ideals
of unity, independence, inclusion and service, and its upcoming Convention will renew those values for the next
generation of Papua New Guineans. “Pangu Pati is not only preparing for the next Election. We are preparing for the
next generation of leadership, unity and development for Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Marape said.