Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has praised outgoing Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Said Zaidansyah for his exemplary leadership and significant contributions to Papua New Guinea’s development during his three-year tenure.
Speaking at a farewell function hosted in Port Moresby on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Marape thanked Mr Zaidansyah and the ADB team for their close partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG), highlighting the bank’s continued role as the country’s largest and most reliable development partner.
“You have been a welcome part of our country these last three years — a monumental period as we push towards the mountain of our 50th anniversary,” Prime Minister Marape said. “You’ve provided strong leadership, built enduring relationships, and left a legacy of collaboration that will guide our nation into the next 20 years.”
ADB’s Central Role in PNG’s Development
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged ADB’s pivotal contribution to Papua New Guinea’s nation-building since the early 1970s, even before independence.
“Since 1966, and especially from the early 1970s, ADB has been a close friend and partner of Papua New Guinea. To this day, as a multilateral lender, ADB remains the biggest and most trusted development financier to our nation,” he said.
“If Mount Everest were to be compared with Mount Wilhelm, ADB would be our Mount Everest — standing tall above all others in its commitment to our progress.”
He commended the diversification of ADB’s support under Mr Zaidansyah’s leadership, extending beyond traditional infrastructure into education, agriculture, and economic empowerment.
“In the last six years, we have seen ADB broaden its reach — from roads and bridges to education, agriculture, and enterprise development. This aligns perfectly with our government’s focus on empowering Papua New Guineans through inclusive economic growth,” he said.
Partnership Built on Credibility and Trust
Prime Minister Marape reflected on the government’s deliberate decision in 2019 to shift away from high-cost commercial borrowings and refocus on concessional financing from reputable sovereign and multilateral partners like ADB, the World Bank, and the IMF.
“We made a conscious choice to rely on lenders with credibility and integrity — institutions that understand our development challenges. We have no regrets. Our partnership with ADB has been one of the most productive and principled in our history,” he stated.
Vision for PNG’s Economic Future
Highlighting Papua New Guinea’s vast natural and human resource potential, Prime Minister Marape said the nation’s greatest challenge remains bridging the gap between its aspirations and its economic realities.
“We are a large, resource-rich nation — bigger in land area than Japan, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand — yet our challenge is to convert our potential into prosperity. ADB has understood this and continues to support us in that mission,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated his goal for Papua New Guinea to become a net contributor to the Asian Development Bank by 2045.
“When the ADB President visited Port Moresby during our 50th anniversary, I told him that by 2045, Papua New Guinea will not just be a borrower but a contributor to ADB. That is our commitment, and we ask for ADB’s continued partnership in helping us reach that milestone,” he affirmed.
Advocating for Pacific and Climate-Vulnerable Nations
Prime Minister Marape also called for greater responsiveness from multilateral lenders to the unique challenges of Pacific Island nations, especially in the face of climate change.
“The Pacific carries the burden of absorbing the world’s carbon emissions while contributing little to global pollution. Papua New Guinea alone absorbs over 100 million metric tonnes of carbon annually — ten times more than our own emissions,” he noted.
“As you return to ADB headquarters, we urge you to be a strong voice for the Pacific — ensuring that global financial systems recognise and reward the contributions of small island states in safeguarding the planet’s future.”
Farewell and Tribute
Prime Minister Marape closed his remarks by wishing Mr Zaidansyah every success in his new posting and assuring him of Papua New Guinea’s enduring friendship.
“You now join a long line of ADB leaders who have served this country well. Once they leave, they remain friends of Papua New Guinea — and I’m sure you will too. You have become one of us, and we will always welcome you back as an ambassador for our nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister concluded on a light note, saying: “It’s your party tonight, and I’ll listen to your words before I quietly excuse myself. But before you depart, I owe you a coffee. Thank you, my brother, and may your next chapter be filled with continued success.”