PRIME Minister James Marape on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, held a high-level meeting with senior officials from the World Bank, including Country Director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands Stephen Ndegwa, PNG Country Manager Khwima Nthara, and Lead Economist for Education in East Asia and the Pacific Lars Sondergaard. Also in attendance were Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey, Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu, and National Planning and Monitoring Secretary Koney Samuel.
Discussions focused on two major development initiatives: the New Country Partnership
Framework (2025–2031) and the Learning Enhancement & Access Project, both of which
align with the government’s broader vision for economic growth, education reform, and
social transformation.
The New Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2025–2031 was a central topic of
discussion, as it sets out key priority areas for development collaboration between Papua
New Guinea and the World Bank over the next six years. The CPF is designed to address
critical economic and infrastructure challenges, with a focus on four key outcome areas:
- Increased private investment to create more and better jobs
- Improved infrastructure connectivity to link communities to essential services
- Enhanced human capital outcomes through better health and education systems
- Strengthened macroeconomic management and institutional governance
The CPF aims to support Papua New Guinea’s long-term economic growth by fostering
investment, enhancing infrastructure development, and strengthening financial systems.
Parallel to the economic discussions, the meeting also focused on education reform through the Learning Enhancement & Access Project, an initiative led by the National Department of
Education. This project is designed to improve access to quality education, particularly in rural and underserved communities, while addressing critical gaps in literacy, numeracy, and teacher capacity.
Prime Minister Marape reiterated his commitment to making teachers among the highest-paid professionals in the country, recognising that investing in educators is fundamental
to national development. Discussions emphasised:
- The need for competitive teacher salaries to attract and retain top talent
- Addressing low literacy and numeracy rates, with over 70% of primary students struggling
with basic skills - Strengthening curriculum development and teacher training programmes
- Expanding education infrastructure to improve school accessibility
The Learning Enhancement & Access Project aligns with the government’s vision of building a strong and skilled workforce for the future by ensuring that every child receives a quality
education.
“As Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th anniversary of independence in 2025, both the
Country Partnership Framework and the Learning Enhancement & Access Project are viewed as strategic initiatives to drive national transformation,” Prime Minister Marape said after the meeting.
“The government is committed to ensuring that investments in education, infrastructure, and economic stability contribute to long-term prosperity.
“The meeting reinforced the strong partnership between Papua New Guinea and the World
Bank, with a shared commitment to economic growth, education reform, and national
development. The government will continue working closely with development partners to
implement policies that create jobs, strengthen education, and improve infrastructure for all Papua New Guineans.”
