Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, OBE has reaffirmed the joint position of the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to ratify the 2019 Bougainville Referendum in parliament, whilst underpinning the National Government’s steadfast commitment to a peaceful constitutionally guided process towards Bougainville’s self- governance.

In a joint media briefing held at the Melanesian Haus on Tuesday 6th  October 2026 in Port Moresby, Chief Secretary Pomaleu and ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei addressed the media on Bougainville’s post referendum process and outcomes of the consultation process. An overview of the endorsed documents; Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework was presented by the Independent Facilitator Mr. Richard Smith.

The Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework was recently tabled in Parliament with   records   of   consultations   undertaken between the National Government   and  the Autonomous Bougainville Government over the past six years pursuant to section 342 of the Constitution and part XIV of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea which implements the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Mr. Pomaleu highlighted that the critical work of the Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville Affairs, led by Chair Dr. Allan Marat, saw the Committee conducted exhaustive nationwide consultations to ensure that the views of all Papua New Guineans were captured. This culminated in a comprehensive Joint Consultation Report tabled in Parliament on 27th August 2026.

“The work of the Bipartisan Committee has been instrumental in moving this conversation beyond mere technicalities,” Mr. Pomaleu stated.

“This is not just a political dialogue; it is a deeply human one. The report reflects the anxieties, hopes, and the collective memory of our people, particularly those who lived through the crisis.”

The Chief Secretary further noted the significance of the Melanesian Agreement and the Joint Consultation Report. These documents serve as the primary negotiated benchmarks that ensure concerns of ordinary citizens are addressed alongside the objectives of political and technical leadership.

While responding to media pertaining to the timeline of the parliamentary process, Mr. Pomaleu clarified that the finalization of decisions regarding the 97.7% referendum result has been “intentionally deliberate.”

“We have allowed for the parliamentary report to be concluded, tabled, and debated to ensure that public opinion is thoroughly considered before any further steps are taken,” Pomaleu said.

“The National Government’s priority is to ensure that the process moving forward does not lead to uncertainty or instability but rather reinforces the peace that has been so hard-won. “The Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government should remain in close consultation.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Pomaleu has called upon the media to play a constructive role in the lead-up to the debate. He urged media outlets to focus public attention on the substance of the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework.

The Chief Secretary concluded by urging all stakeholders to remain patient and trust in the constitutional process currently before the National Parliament, which seeks to honour the spirit of the Melanesian Agreement while safeguarding the integrity of the nation.