Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today (15.09.25) expressed deep gratitude to all bilateral and multilateral partners of Papua New Guinea for their assistance over the 50-year life of the country, and asked that they continue this support into the future.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the Independence Dinner he hosted at APEC House for PNG’s special guests attending PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations – the Duke of Edinburg Prince Edward, visiting leaders from the Pacific, Asia, Europe, and the United States  – and heads of diplomatic missions in PNG; investors, businessmen and women; heads of government departments; and representatives from the non-government organisations.

In a speech reiterating PNG’s long association to land and country, PM Marape highlighted diverse civilisations that existed well before history, especially in agriculture (Kuk, Western Highlands), and trade (Hiri for Central and Gulf; Kula in Milne Bay).

He said at Independence in 1975 when many thought it was not possible to unify a nation of so much diversity and complexity, Papua New Guinea has proven its critics wrong.

“Fifty years on, we have survived under one democracy, one national anthem, one pledge and one Constitution. We have equal respect to the three arms of government – the Judiciary, Parliament and the Executive,” he said.

“We have formed 17 governments – not by the barrel of the gun but through the democratic process on the floor of Parliament.”

He acknowledged all bilateral and multilateral partners, churches, investors and many others for their role in contributing to the development of PNG.

“We are grateful and indebted to you all,” he said.

While acknowledging the many challenges and complexities that PNG continues to face, the Prime Minister called on these development partners not to abandon his country.

“I ask. Do not give up on Papua New Guinea. It was never easy right from the start.

“We are indebted to you all for your help to PNG. We ask that you continue to assist us build a country that is truly prosperous; that preserves the sanctity of our God-given land, a land that is blessed by nature, housing 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity, substantial rainforests; and the world’s biggest ocean which we share with other Pacific countries. Both of these are big carbon sinks. Your help to PNG is a help to Planet Earth,” said the Prime Minister.

Visiting dignitaries participating in the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations who attended the Prime Minister’s dinner were the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward; President of the Federated State of Micronesia, Wesley Simina and his spouse; President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr.; Vice President of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka; Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles; Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, David Seymour and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters; Prime Minister of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi; Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Feleti Teo and his spouse; Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Mark Brown and his spouse; Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, and his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ped Shanel Agovaka; the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christoper Landau; Minister for Ecology and Environment of China and Special Envoy of the Chinese President, Huang Runqiu; the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Special Envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister, Takuma Miyaji; Representative of France, Veronique Roger-Lacan; and President of Asian Development Bank, Masato Kanda.