Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today tabled in Parliament the landmark PNG Reset@50 – 50-Year Review and 20-Year Roadmap, describing it as “the nation’s first truly comprehensive and independent reflection on where we have come from and what we must decisively fix to secure a prosperous future for all Papua New Guineans.”
Speaking before Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Roadmap is not a Government manifesto, but a National Blueprint independently produced by a Steering Committee chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Mr Charles Abel and Deputy Chair Mr Arthur Somare, supported by the National Research Institute (NRI), Australian National University, CIMC, UNDP, and other Institutions. The Roadmap synthesises 50 years of national data, over 50 nationwide consultations, and a deep performance review from Independence to 2025.
“This document belongs to the nation—past, present, and future. It is not about the Marape Government. It is a collective reflection of 50 years of achievements, struggles, lessons, and aspirations as told by the people themselves,” PM Marape said.
He stressed that the Roadmap complements Vision 2050, the Development Strategic Plan, and the MTDPs, saying: “This does not replace Vision 2050—rather, it strengthens and augments it. After 50 years, we must Reset our trajectory to reach our 2050 target of becoming a smart, wise, fair, healthy, and happy society.”
A 50-Year Review Grounded in Evidence
The Roadmap’s analysis shows that while PNG has maintained democracy, territorial integrity, improved life expectancy, expanded education, and achieved major resource development milestones, progress has been uneven. Human Development remains low, economic diversification is limited, institutional weaknesses persist, and public trust has declined. The Roadmap states clearly that “systemic governance weaknesses, boom–bust cycles, and bottlenecks in Human Development have constrained long-term progress.”
PM Marape reinforced this truth: “After 50 years, we must admit that although much has been achieved, it has not been enough. Our people deserve better, and the data inside this Report tells us exactly where we must improve.”
He highlighted that for the first time, a National Review fully integrates decades of data from NRI’s 1975–2024 Golden Jubilee publication, economic performance studies, and public consultations.
Five Guiding Principles & Ten Big Bets
The Roadmap is built on five principles, each supported by two transformative “Big Bets”:
– Protecting the Constitution & Governance Integrity
– Advancing Human Development & the Family
– Leveraging Data & Evidence
– Driving Inclusive, Sustainable Economic Growth
– Ensuring Accountability, Transparency & Delivery
“These ten Big Bets are not slogans,” PM Marape said. “They are bold, structural Reforms that—if implemented—can fundamentally fix the way our country is governed, how we grow our economy, and how services reach our people.”
20-Year Horizons of Reform
The Roadmap outlines three clear reform horizons:
– 0–2 years: Recovery, quick results, and rebuilding trust
– 0–5 years: Structural reforms, strengthening systems, restoring accountability
– 0–20 years: Major national transformation—connectivity, productivity, and prosperity
PM Marape said: “By 2045, when PNG turns 70, the next Prime Minister must inherit a nation that is prosperous, connected by roads, ICT and power, productive on land and sea, and united—having resolved the Bougainville question with honour.”
A Call for Collective Responsibility
In closing, the Prime Minister called on all National Leaders, Public Servants, Provincial Administrations, Churches, Civil Society, and citizens to treat the Roadmap as a National Covenant.
“This is a National Reset. It demands a shift in mindset, attitude, and leadership culture. It demands that every one of us—from Parliament to Public Service to our rural communities—commit to building the country we want our children to inherit.”
He urged all MPs to study the report thoroughly: “This is our opportunity to change the next 20 years.”