Prime Minister James Marape departed this morning for Honiara, Solomon Islands, to attend the opening of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), stressing Papua New Guinea’s commitment to Pacific solidarity in the face of global challenges.

Speaking at Jackson’s APEC VIP Terminal before boarding his flight, Prime Minister Marape said the Forum remained the most important platform for Pacific leaders to present a united front on issues such as climate change, global economic shocks, and geopolitical pressures.

“All leaders of the Pacific are expected to attend — including the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, and Presidents and Prime Ministers of the other island nations,” he said. “This is an important moment in the face of many global issues, including the existential threat of climate change and the increasing pressure from bigger nations seeking our allegiance. Papua New Guinea’s contribution will be to stress that the entire Pacific must remain together.”

Balancing Regional Duties with PNG’s Golden Jubilee

The Prime Minister explained that his participation in the Forum would be brief due to preparations for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary next week. He will attend the opening in Honiara today, return to Port Moresby tomorrow for the inauguration of the new courthouse on Wednesday, and then travel back to the Solomon Islands on Thursday for the Leaders’ Retreat in Munda. “I have already informed Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of my decision not to spend the full week in Solomon Islands,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Our 50th anniversary is a major national milestone, and Minister Justin Tkatchenko is staying back to oversee preparations.”

Call for Unity at 50

Prime Minister Marape also used the occasion to reflect on the significance of Papua New Guinea’s golden jubilee, calling on citizens to come together and celebrate the country’s progress since 1975.

“Whilst 50 years may seem a lifetime for some of us, in the context of national progress we are still in our midlife stage,” he said. “Our sovereignty has many fragilities, but we have remained united thus far. Let us celebrate this unity in diversity and realise that our potential remains enormous if we all work together.”

The Prime Minister highlighted recent breakthroughs in road connectivity as signs of hope, citing his historic drive from Port Moresby to Alotau and the first vehicle crossing from Lae to Port Moresby via Kaintiba and Kerema.

“These are signs of hope. For the first time, people in remote areas are seeing vehicles reach their communities,” he said. “Our commitment is to leave no one behind.”

Breakthroughs in Health and Education

Prime Minister Marape further pointed to major progress in health and education as evidence of a nation moving forward.

“For the first time, we can perform kidney transplants in our country. For the first time, we can do heart bypass operations in our country. Very soon, we will be opening a fully- fledged, state-of-the-art cancer diagnostic and treatment facility,” he said.

He added that the government was investing in education to match these medical advances.

“We are sending students to some of the best schools overseas. We are paying student fees, including at our universities and colleges. We are creating more tertiary education spaces, and a standalone medical university is being progressed. All this is work in progress for a country that is only 50 years old.”

The Prime Minister urged the nation to treat the 50th anniversary as a turning point.

“As we take a break on September 16 and look ahead, the next 12 months must be a time of reset — to decide where we should take our country. I call upon every son and daughter of Papua New Guinea to lay aside differences and use your talents for the positive advancement of our country, wherever you are placed.”

Standing Firm Against Division

Prime Minister Marae stressed that Papua New Guinea would use the Forum to push for climate action and regional unity.

“Togetherness is our strength. Those who are coming into the Pacific to divide us — we want to tell them: take your division elsewhere. We stand as one family in the Pacific,” he said.