Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished leaders, fellow citizens of Papua New Guinea,

On Monday, September 16, 2024, we gather to celebrate a milestone in the life of our nation. Forty-nine years ago, on the 16th of September, 1975, Papua New Guinea raised its own flag and took its place among the sovereign nations of the world. Today, we stand proudly as a people who have persevered, grown, and defined our identity on the global stage.

It is a day to remember with gratitude the visionaries and patriots who led our country to independence. The journey they began was not easy, and the path since then has been filled with challenges, triumphs, and the tireless efforts of our people. Our elders, our founding leaders, and every citizen who has contributed to this country’s development, we honor you today.

As we reflect on 49 years of nationhood, let us consider how far we have come. From our humble beginnings, when our nation was a young democracy filled with dreams, we have grown into a proud, diverse, and resilient country. We have embraced our cultural heritage, which makes Papua New Guinea one of the most unique and vibrant countries in the world. Our over 800 languages and distinct cultures remain our greatest strength, shaping our identity and uniting us despite our differences.

Over the years, we have made significant progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance. But we also recognise that the journey has not been without its difficulties. Poverty, inequality, corruption, and service delivery challenges continue to test us as a nation. However, each challenge is also an opportunity—an opportunity to do better, to serve our people more effectively, and to chart a brighter course for future generations.

I stand before you as your Prime Minister, humbled by the privilege to lead this great nation, and mindful of the responsibility we have to ensure that the next 49 years of Papua New Guinea’s history are filled with progress, unity, and prosperity for all.

As we approach our 50th anniversary, it is a time to look to the future with hope and purpose. We are a young nation, and our potential is immense. In the coming year, we will focus on several key areas to strengthen our foundation and ensure that Papua New Guinea is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

First, we will continue to invest in our people. Education and skills development are the cornerstones of any nation’s success. We must empower our young people with the tools they need to lead, innovate, and build the future of Papua New Guinea. Our youth are our greatest asset, and we will give them every opportunity to succeed.

Second, we must work together to build a robust, inclusive economy. As we diversify our economy beyond our traditional sectors of mining, oil and gas,  we will focus on industries such as agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and technology that can create jobs and improve the livelihoods of our people. We will move more into downstream processing and manufacturing of our resources.Our wealth is not just in our resources, but in the creativity and determination of our people.

Third, we must continue the fight against corruption and improve governance at all levels. Transparent, accountable leadership is key to the progress of our nation. Together, we must work to build trust in our institutions and ensure that every kina of public money is used to improve the lives of Papua New Guineans.

Finally, we must embrace unity. In a country as diverse as ours, unity does not mean uniformity. It means respecting our differences while working together towards common goals. It means putting our nation above our individual interests and ensuring that we leave no one behind as we progress.

As we celebrate this day, let us not only honor the past but also commit ourselves to the future. A future where every Papua New Guinean has the opportunity to thrive. A future where our nation stands strong, proud, and united on the world stage.

In the coming year, we will face challenges, but I am confident that if we remain united, focused, and committed to the vision of our forefathers, we will overcome them and continue to build a nation that our children and grandchildren will be proud of.

So, as we celebrate 49 years of independence today, let us do so with joy and gratitude for how far we have come, and with hope and determination for how much farther we can go.

May God bless Papua New Guinea, and may we continue to rise as a strong, proud, and prosperous nation.

Happy Independence Day!

Thank you.