Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today announced the National Executive Council’s (NEC) endorsement of Reset PNG@50, Papua New Guinea’s official reform blueprint to guide policy, planning, and implementation over the next 20 years.
Reset PNG@50 represents a decisive turning point as the nation reflects on 50 years of independence while charting a bold course towards Vision 2050. Shaped by the 50-Year Review and extensive nationwide consultations, the roadmap was overseen by a Steering Committee chaired by Charles Abel, with Arthur Somare as Deputy Chair, supported by a Technical Committee and development partners.
The review drew on analysis from the National Research Institute (NRI), Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Australian National University (ANU), with more than 50 consultations in just two months capturing the voices of leaders, churches, civil society, the private sector, and ordinary citizens across both urban and rural PNG.
Prime Minister Marape emphasised:
“Reset@50 is not a new plan. Papua New Guinea has many excellent plans — what we have lacked is implementation. For 50 years, progress has been slow and uneven. Reset@50 ensures we deliver on commitments and translate reforms into real outcomes for our people.”
Guiding Principles and Big Bets
1. Protecting the Constitution – restore constitutional balance, strengthen parliamentary governance including a bicameral Parliament and a two-term Prime Ministerial limit; safeguard the budget process, enforce finance rules, and operationalise the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
2. Advancing Human Development – enable universal access to family planning and maternal health services in partnership with churches and CSOs; deliver nationwide electricity and internet by reforming PNG Power, liberalising telecommunications, and extending rural connectivity.
3. Evidence-Based Governance – establish a Parliamentary Budget Office and stronger oversight committees; build a universal, trusted National Identity system integrated with service delivery.
4. Smart, Sustainable Growth – promote private-sector-led, government-facilitated growth; reform SOEs, modernise agriculture, accelerate investment; free up land for housing and agricultural development using best-practice voluntary models.
5. Accountability and Delivery – reform the bureaucracy via functional audits, payroll cleansing, and performance-linked pay; strengthen delivery through a Project Management Unit and operationalizing the National Monitoring and Coordination Authority.
Quick Wins (Next Two Years)
• Stabilise the budget and close loopholes.
• Improve frontline health and education services.
• Remove ghost names from the payroll.
• Fast-track electricity and internet roll-out in rural areas.
Leadership and Delivery
To ensure implementation, Government has established a delivery unit headed by senior statesman and former Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel, supported by the public service, private sector experts, and development partners.
“Charles Abel has the track record and vision to guide Reset@50 from planning into action. His leadership will be vital in ensuring the next two years deliver real outcomes for our people over the next two decades,” Prime Minister Marape said.
All agencies, including SOEs, are required to fully cooperate. Non-compliance will be treated as a dismissible offence. Lead agencies must submit quarterly reports to NEC and biannual updates to the public. Reset@50 will also be tabled in Parliament and shared with development partners as PNG’s official reform framework.
A Call to All Papua New Guineans
Prime Minister Marape urged citizens to take ownership:
“Government alone cannot deliver Reset@50. This is about our people holding leaders accountable. Demand results, question decisions, and participate actively. Only then will these reforms succeed.” He added:
“Do not leave nation-building to politicians and bureaucrats alone. If each of us plays our part — in our villages, churches, schools, and workplaces — together we will transform PNG. This is our moment to unite and declare that the next 20 years will be different. Bung wantaim, raka hebou — together, with courage and conviction, we will reset our country and build the Papua New Guinea we have always dreamed of.”
The Prime Minister concluded:
“We are ready to reset. We are ready to deliver. We are ready to build a stronger Papua New Guinea.”