PRIME Minister Hon. James Marape is extending invitations to Papua New Guinea’s bilateral partners to join the country mark its 50th Independence anniversary this year 2025.
The invitations are in respect of these countries’ long-established ties with Papua New Guinea and their contributions in various sectors to PNG’s development over the years.
Prime Minister Marape today extended verbal invitations to heads of governments of these countries through their representative heads of missions in the country. The invitations will be formally communicated to each government soon after.
The invitations were given during a meeting the Prime Minister held with high commissioners and ambassadors from Australia, China, South Korea, United States of America, France, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Philippines, Fiji, Solomon Islands, the Vatican, and European Union today (08.01.25).
PM Marape said, “I want to thank you individually as high commissioners and ambassadors, and as esteemed representatives of your respective countries for having faith in our country. Your missions have played vital roles since 1975 to now when we are celebrating 50 years of nationhood.
“On behalf of my country and people, I extend our warmest invitations to the leaders of your countries to fully participate in and be a part of our celebrations.”
He added formal invitations would be sent out in the coming weeks which would also ask for support where support can be given.
The Prime Minister is expecting a full attendance by Pacific leaders from a general agreement reached at last year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ meeting to have the leaders move from Solomon Islands to PNG after the conclusion of the 2025 PIF meeting this year.
“We are holding our regional PIF meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in September this year, and soon after the PIF meeting concludes, we will have our leaders flown to PNG for the 50th anniversary celebration,” he said.
PM Marape said he understood many heads of governments’ would be engaged this year in the 80th United Nations General Assembly in the same month of September, for which he has asked that governments could consider sending senior representatives to join the people of PNG.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Marape also highlighted the significance of the roles heads of missions played in the development of PNG.
“Each of you plays a critical role in our country, of which we greatly value.
“As my country prepares for our 50th anniversary, we want you to be a part of the celebrations and to see where you can help going into the next 50 years.
“We have plans to make PNG a safer country with a bigger economy, including making the transition from primary to secondary and tertiary industries with a focus on downstream processing and manufacturing.
“We are a country that straddles Pacific and South East Asia, therefore we will
continue to play a leadership role in fostering peace in the region.
“We have resources, including food and energy for our part of the world, and I am pleased to inform you all that my Government is launching a 20-year road map for PNG this year. This will establish a precise pathway in hastening development, and every support your country can offer in these areas will be much appreciated,” said Prime Minister Marape.
