Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has described 2025 as one of the most consequential years in Papua New Guinea’s national history — a year that honoured the sacrifices of the past while decisively preparing the nation for the future.
Marking 50 years of Independence, Papua New Guinea commemorated its Golden Jubilee not only through celebration, but through deliberate national reflection and reform. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Marape and the Marape–Rosso Government, the Jubilee Year became a ‘turning point’, anchored by the launch of PNG RESET@50 — a long-term national roadmap to guide the country’s development for the next two decades.
“Fifty years is not the end of a journey. It is the moment we choose whether the next fifty will be better than the first,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
Leadership in a Golden Jubilee Year
Throughout 2025, Prime Minister Marape led Independence celebrations across Papua New Guinea, reinforcing messages of unity, faith, shared identity and national responsibility. The Prime Minister consistently emphasised that Independence is not an entitlement, but an obligation that must be renewed through responsible leadership and citizen participation.
“Independence is not something we inherited to consume; it is something we must protect, strengthen and pass on better than we found it,” he said during Jubilee reflections. The Marape–Rosso Government deliberately framed the Golden Jubilee as a Year of stewardship rather than symbolism. National pride was matched with policy substance, ensuring that celebration translated into strategy.
RESET@50: A National Reset for the Future
The defining Policy initiative of the Jubilee Year was the launch of PNG RESET@50, a comprehensive review of the nation’s first 50 years of Independence and the establishment of a 20-Year National Roadmap (2025–2045).
RESET@50 focuses on:
– Ethical, stable and accountable governance
– Economic self-reliance and diversification
– Human capital development through health, education and skills
– Equitable development across all Provinces and Districts
– A confident, sovereign and principled Foreign Policy
Prime Minister Marape positioned RESET@50 as a generational project, not tied to electoral cycles or personal legacy.
“Our founding fathers gave us freedom. Our generation must give our children a functioning nation,” he said. RESET@50 was widely consulted, engaging Public Institutions, the Private Sector, Churches, Civil Society and Community Leaders, ensuring national ownership of the Roadmap.
Strengthening Political Stability and Governance
In 2025, the Government placed Political Stability at the centre of its governance agenda, recognising that frequent changes of Government in past decades had disrupted development and weakened institutions.
A major governance reform was the Constitutional Amendment to Section 145, introducing an 18-month grace period following an unsuccessful Vote of No Confidence.
The Prime Minister explained that the Amendment was designed to protect the people’s mandate and allow Governments sufficient time to deliver on Policy commitments.
“This Amendment is not about protecting individuals. It is about protecting the people’s mandate and giving Governments the space to work,” Prime Minister Marape told Parliament.
The Reform followed extensive Parliamentary debate and was framed as part of Papua New Guinea’s democratic evolution — strengthening governance while preserving democratic accountability.
Beyond Constitutional reform, the Government continued to strengthen Institutions, Parliamentary effectiveness, Public Service accountability and the Rule of Law, in line with RESET@50 objectives.
Economic Management and a Record National Budget
Despite continued global economic uncertainty, the Marape–Rosso Government maintained a disciplined and forward-looking economic approach throughout 2025.
A major highlight of the Jubilee Year was the presentation of the K30.9 billion 2026 National Budget — the largest in Papua New Guinea’s history.
The Budget prioritised:
– Law and Order and National Security
– Health services and hospitals
– Education and teacher support
– Infrastructure and rural connectivity
– District and Provincial Public Investment Programs
“Every Kina we spend must be felt in the lives of our people — in safer communities, better schools and accessible healthcare,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Government emphasised Fiscal discipline alongside Budget expansion, reinforcing confidence among Public Institutions, domestic Businesses and International Development partners.
Supporting the Private Sector and Economic Sovereignty
The Government reaffirmed that sustainable growth cannot be driven by the Public Sector alone. Throughout 2025, Prime Minister Marape consistently highlighted the importance of a strong and confident Private Sector as a partner in nation-building.
Policy focus included:
– Stability and predictability in Economic Policy
– Fair and transparent Taxation systems
– Support for Small and Medium Enterprises
– Encouraging local participation in major Projects
A defining feature of the Government’s economic leadership was its emphasis on economic sovereignty — ensuring that growth serves national interests and future generations.
Investment, Resources and Development Strategy
Prime Minister Marape took a hands-on role in promoting Papua New Guinea internationally, leading delegations to major investment forums, including PNG Investment Week in Sydney, Australia.
At these engagements, the Prime Minister communicated a clear and consistent message: “We welcome investors who respect our laws, our people and our future.”
The Government maintained a balanced approach to resource development, emphasising fair State returns, meaningful landowner participation, downstream processing and environmental stewardship. This principled approach strengthened PNG’s negotiating position while maintaining investor confidence.
Social Development and Service Delivery
The Jubilee Year also placed strong emphasis on people-centred development. Prime Minister Marape repeatedly stressed that economic growth must translate into improved quality of life.
Key social achievements and priorities in 2025 included:
– Strengthening hospitals and health centres nationwide
– Landmark medical procedures at Port Moresby General Hospital, including the first kidney transplant and heart bypass surgeries
– Continued support for teachers, schools and tertiary students
– Expansion of STEM education pathways, including overseas study opportunities
– Improved road connectivity to remote communities such as Kaintiba in Gulf Province
“Economic statistics mean nothing if mothers cannot access healthcare and children cannot learn in safe classrooms,” the Prime Minister stated.
Law and order remained a social priority, with increased focus on policing, justice sector support and community-based initiatives.
International Relations and Global Leadership
Internationally, Prime Minister Marape projected Papua New Guinea as a confident, sovereign and principled nation.
Relations with Australia were strengthened significantly in 2025, including the signing of the PNG–Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, and an updated Queensland–PNG Memorandum of Understanding. The Prime Minister described the Pukpuk Treaty as a historic milestone that elevates nearly five decades of Defence Cooperation to the highest level of partnership. “This is a sovereign decision by Papua New Guinea to strengthen our Defence capability while contributing to regional peace and security,” he said.
Papua New Guinea also played an active leadership role in the Pacific, advocating for unity, sovereignty and recognition of Pacific Island nations as “big ocean nations” rather than small island states.
Globally, Prime Minister Marape represented PNG at major international forums, including the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Conferences, advocating for climate justice, forest conservation and fair treatment of developing nations. “PNG protects forests and oceans not just for ourselves, but for humanity,” he said.
A Jubilee Year of Legacy and Confidence
As Papua New Guinea concluded its Golden Jubilee, Prime Minister Marape said the Year had restored national confidence and provided a clear direction forward.
“The foundations laid in 2025 now belong to every Papua New Guinean,” he said.
“Together, we will build a stronger, fairer and more confident nation.”
Through RESET@50, strengthened political stability, disciplined economic management, people-centred development and confident international engagement, the Marape–Rosso Government enters the next phase of nationhood with clarity of purpose and confidence in the future.