Very good morning to all of you — papa, mama, man, meri, boy and girl — wherever you are in Papua New Guinea or overseas.
Motu: Idibada namona lo tubu, hina, dahu, hahine, boi, gele — evara ai Papua New Guinea, idibada ai ausait.(A good morning to all of you — fathers, mothers, men, women, boys and girls — in Papua New Guinea and abroad.)
Fellow Papua New Guineans, distinguished leaders, honoured guests, friends from across the Pacific and the world,
Today, we gather on sacred ground — Independence Hill — where, fifty years ago, our nation was born. On 16 September 1975, as our flag rose for the very first time, a young country of extraordinary diversity declared itself free and independent.
On that morning, the world witnessed the birth of Papua New Guinea: one people, one nation, one country.
Fifty years ago, our parents and grandparents witnessed history. Today, we — their children and grandchildren — are privileged to carry that story forward.
We gather again — not simply to commemorate, but to reflect on our journey, to give thanks for God’s grace upon our nation, and to look forward with courage and hope to the next fifty years.
Looking Back – Our Ancient Roots and the Spirit of 1975
Our story does not begin in 1975. We are an ancient people. For thousands of years, our ancestors lived and thrived in the highlands, along the coasts, and across the islands of this land.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kuk in the Western Highlands stands as global proof of this — one of the oldest known centres of agriculture in the world, where our forefathers cultivated taro, banana, yam, and sugarcane long before modern farming. Papua New Guinea’s story of civilisation is as old as Africa, Asia, and the great agricultural valleys of the world.
Our Lapita pottery, found here and across the Pacific, shows that we were seafarers, navigating island to island, binding the ocean into one family. Our trading systems demonstrate our ingenuity: the Hiri voyages between Gulf and Central; the Kula exchanges across the islands of Milne Bay; the kina shell trade linking highlands and coast. These were not just exchanges of goods, but exchanges of trust, knowledge, and unity — proof that we have always been a people of resilience and connection.
Then, more than a century ago, missionaries and colonial administrators arrived. They introduced new faiths, new systems of government, and new forms of education. Eventually, under the Australian administration, the Territories of Papua and New Guinea were joined into one. And in 1975, that construct gave birth to our independent state.
On this very hill, our founding leaders stood before the world: they dared to dream that a land with over 800 languages and more than 1,000 tribes could unite as one.
At one minute past midnight on 16 September 1975, our first Governor-General, Sir John Guise, proclaimed to the world: “Papua New Guinea is now independent.”
A few hours earlier, as the Australian flag was lowered, Sir John reminded the crowd: “We are` lowering the Australian flag — not tearing it down.” Those words captured the dignity of our transition and the goodwill with Australia. Independence was not born out of anger, but out of respect and humility, and faith in the future.
Many doubted that such a diverse people could unite. Yet here we are, fifty years on — still united under one flag, one Constitution, one destiny.
Acknowledgement and Gratitude
We owe gratitude to those who carried us to this day:
• To our founding fathers and mothers who carved the path of independence.
• To Australia, our closest neighbour, who guided our early steps and remains our enduring partner.
• To our Pacific brothers and sisters, and friends from around the world who stand with us today in solidarity.
• To our churches, the backbone of education, health, and moral leadership.
• To our teachers, health workers, police, and defence personnel who sustained the young state.
• And to our ordinary citizens — farmers, fishermen, mothers, workers — who carried the nation on their shoulders.
This day belongs to you.
Acknowledging Our Development Partners
Since Independence, Papua New Guinea has not walked this journey alone. From the first raising of our flag in 1975 until today, our friends and partners have stood with us, helping us build the foundations of our young nation.
Australia has remained our closest partner, supporting our health, education, law and justice, and major infrastructure. Japan, through JICA, has invested steadily in transport, power and training. The Asian Development Bank and the World Bank have been engines of growth in roads, airports, ports, and agriculture, while the European Union has strengthened governance and invested in climate-resilient infrastructure.
The United Nations family has been with us in every province, helping us deliver health, education, and disaster relief, while the United States has expanded support for electrification, health security, and infrastructure. China has contributed visible projects in roads, buildings, and sporting facilities.
New Zealand has stood beside us in policing, education and community resilience; the Republic of Korea through KOICA has invested in water, health and training; and India has supported us with infrastructure, renewable energy and ICT. We also acknowledge the support of global climate and health funds — the Green Climate Fund and the Global Fund — which are enabling us to protect our forests, deliver clean water, and fight malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.
To all our partners, past and present: thank you. Your contributions have helped us reach fifty years of independence, and we look forward to deepening these friendships as we set our course for the next fifty years.
Our Journey – 50 Years of Struggle and Progress
The last fifty years have been a journey of struggle, survival, resilience, and progress.
In the first 27 years after independence, governments were unstable. The average life of a government was less than two years. Much of that time was spent holding the country together rather than building it up. Yet we endured.
In the last 23 years, we began to stabilise and grow. We built more schools and hospitals. We opened roads and airports. We invested in industries and infrastructure. We began sending students overseas to educate a new generation.
Today, at fifty years, we stand on firmer ground — more stable, more confident, and ready to transform for the next fifty.
Our Unique Identity – Authentic Diversity
Papua New Guinea is the most diverse nation on earth — with diversity born of our own soil, mountains, valleys, and islands.
This diversity is not our weakness. It is our greatest strength. It gives us resilience, colour, creativity, and character. It allows us to face the world as a united people embodying the richness of humanity.
Our Achievements
We must be proud of how far we have come:
• We have maintained democracy for half a century.
• We have kept our unity under one flag and Constitution.
• We have invested in education, enabling thousands to study here and abroad.
• We are achieving medical breakthroughs — from kidney transplants to cancer treatment at Angau and the soon-to-open cancer centre in Port Moresby.
• We have built roads, bridges, ports, and airports connecting once- isolated places under Connect PNG.
• We are guardians of the world’s third largest rainforest and a voice for climate action.
• Through sport, music, and culture, we have shown the world the pride and spirit of Papua New Guinea.
These achievements prove that we are a resilient, determined, forward-looking nation.
The Challenges Ahead
But let us be honest: too many still live-in poverty. Too many children are out of school. Too many young people remain jobless.
Law and order challenges persist. Corruption robs us of resources meant for the people. Our economy must grow stronger to sustain our growing population.
Yes, these challenges remain. But history teaches us one thing — Papua New Guinea never gives up.
Bougainville – Walking Together Into the Future
On this golden jubilee, I also want to speak directly to our brothers and sisters in Bougainville. We hear you. We respect your voices. And we remain committed to working with you towards a future that is good for Bougainville as much as it is for the whole of Papua New Guinea.
Our shared history has not been without its trials, but it is also a story of resilience, reconciliation, and hope. As we look ahead, let dialogue, understanding, and unity guide us. Whatever pathway we take, it must be one that honours the aspirations of Bougainville while preserving the spirit of one people, one nation, one country.
Vision for the Next 50 Years – Transformation
The next fifty years must be about nation building, renewal, and transformation.
• Agriculture: Move one million families from subsistence into commercial farming.
• Connectivity: Build infrastructure so that children in Karamui, Kotidanga, Telefomin, or Misima feel as connected as children in Port Moresby.
• Resources: Harness our gas, gold, copper, timber, and fisheries responsibly so all benefit.
• Energy: Invest in hydropower, solar, and renewables to power homes and industries.
• Jobs: Create opportunities so our youth find hope at home.
• Democracy: Uphold one Constitution, one law, one rulebook for all.
And in this new era, transformation will demand four clear pathways:
1. Efficiency Through AI and ICT – embrace e-governance, digital IDs, land registration, health records, and school enrolments to cut waste, increase transparency, and deliver services.
2. A Meritorious Society – reward hard work, innovation, and excellence in education, employment, and leadership, not mediocrity or corruption.
3. Justice and Rule of Law – modernize courts, police, and community justice so that justice is timely and fair, upholding our Constitution as the nation’s single rulebook.
4. Economic Transformation and Wealth Targets – grow to K200 billion by
2030, K300 billion by 2035, and K500 billion by 2045. This means better schools, better hospitals, more jobs, and more opportunities for every Papua New Guinean.
The journey to 2045 will demand unity, discipline, and vision. But if we stay the course, we will hand over to our children a country stronger, richer, and fairer than ever before.
Personal Appeal to the People
My dear Papua New Guineans, when you see our flag rise today, remember it is not just cloth. It is the symbol of our freedom, unity, identity, and hope.
The bird of paradise soars above us — a sign of freedom and beauty. The Southern Cross shines — a sign of our place in the Pacific and under the heavens. The red and black remind us of our strength, tradition, and unity.
This flag belongs to you — the farmers, mothers, students, workers, leaders, young and old. Carry it proudly. Honour it. Live by what it stands for.
Closing – A Call to Unity and Hope
Fifty years ago, our leaders raised this flag and declared Papua New Guinea free. Today, we stand in their footsteps. The baton is now in our hands.
Let us honour their sacrifice by building a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous nation. Let us face the next fifty years with pride in who we are, and faith in who we can become.
Fifty years ago, they raised the flag. Today, we raise it again. Tomorrow, our children will raise it higher.
From many we become one; one nation, one people, one country. Let’s continue to walk together and work together side by side, step by step.
God bless Papua New Guinea. God bless our people. God bless our future.