Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso for representing him at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in the Republic of Korea this month.

Prime Minister Marape also congratulated and thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea for successfully hosting the summit, while highlighting the country’s development success as a model for many developing countries to use in their own nation-building aspirations.

Prime Minister was not able to attend the summit because of parliamentary commitments with the October/November sitting of Parliament which has started this week, and his earlier commitment to the United Nations summit on Climate Change, the Conference of Parties (COP30), which he will be attending. The COP30 will be held in Brazil on Monday, 10 to Friday, 21 November 2025.

He said, “I want to commend the Deputy Prime Minister for representing our country as my envoy to the APEC meeting. He did a wonderful job presenting for our country, and I commend his leadership both at the APEC summit and other international forums that he has represented us. He always rises to the occasion.

“I also thank the Government of Korea as the host of the summit for its under- standing of the work that is required for me to stay back and to allow the DPM to represent Papua New Guinea.

“For APEC, this is our conversation. I always say the strength of a nation’s economy drives government performances, and our conversation is that all barriers of trade must be taken down and all economies given every opportunity to grow to its full potential to be able to take care of its citizens. For Papua New Guinea, I continue to strongly advocate for free trade within APEC and outside of it to assist us transition from our over-reliance on aid and grants to exporting  our raw – and later – finished products. We want to become self-sustaining, empowered, full contributing, dignified citizens of the world.

“The Republic of Korea is the precise venue for hosting an APEC meeting because of the many lessons it continues to provide on the strength and growth of its economy. The country was birthed in 1953 out of the remains of war and destitution but has risen from poverty to a powerhouse G20 member economy that has made its mark in manufacturing, technology and ICT. Its lesson is that strong work ethics by citizens and leaders alike transforms a nation.

“I congratulate the Republic of Korea on its many successes, including its successful hosting of this year’s APEC summit,” said Prime Minister Marape.