Prime Minister Hon. James Marape held a series of meetings today with key Government Agencies from the Mining, Petroleum, Forestry, and Climate Change sectors of the country, making a strong call on the Agency heads to deliver on policy reforms and performance outcomes.
Prime Minister Marape emphasized to the various Government Agencies the importance of getting Papua New Guinea onto the right track and establishing a solid foundation for the future, especially with the nation celebrating its 50th anniversary of Independence in 2025. Each agency presented their achievements, challenges, and proposed pathways forward.
Marape expressed that significant time has been wasted and opportunities missed in the past before his Government took office in 2019, placing the country in a difficult position. He has taken on the leadership role to organize and chart a brighter future for the country.
Upon receiving reports from the Mining Sector, particularly in discussions with heads of the Mineral Resources Authority of PNG and the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management, PM Marape stressed the need to review key legislation related to the Mining Sector and expedite major projects such as Wafi-Golpu and Frieda River. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the Porgera mine reaches full operational status, along with smaller projects like Mt Kare, Oro Nickel, Simberi, and Limestone projects in Central Province and other regions.
“Papua New Guinea’s potential in the Mining Sector is huge, and if fully tapped into, we can substitute some of our material imports with what we produce in-country, enabling greater gain for our country and our people. Gold and Copper refinery are areas we are looking into, as well as local supply of cement from our Limestone projects. As we review some of our Mining laws and regulations, we want to ensure the best outcome for our country as our mining resources are extracted from our land,” Marape stated.
In discussions with the Petroleum Sector, Prime Minister Marape reiterated that PNG’s priority remains on cleaner energy. He acknowledged the hard work of the State Negotiation Team in achieving landmark agreements for various mining and petroleum projects, ensuring that PNG landowners receive their rightful benefits while also providing a return on investment for investors.
The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s efforts on projects like Papua LNG, P’Nyang, Pasca, and Wildebeest, as well as PNG LNG, ensuring the best outcomes for the country. He noted significant meetings with global leaders in the petroleum sector during recent international engagements, setting a solid foundation for the future.
In the Non-Resource or Renewable Sector, which has experienced consistent growth of over 4 percent in the past four years, Prime Minister Marape emphasized its vital importance given the Government’s focus on renewable resources and conservation for future generations.
While receiving reports from the National Forest Authority and the Climate Change Development Authority, PM Marape reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to forest conservation and climate change mitigation. He underscored the vision of the country’s forefathers in ensuring the conservation of natural resources, as reflected in the National Goals and Directive Principles of the National Constitution.
“When our forefathers drafted the Constitution, conservation of our natural resources and maximizing benefits from them was paramount. My Government stands firmly on this principle. The world must recognize that PNG has unique rainforest land, and developed nations with significant carbon footprints must honor their commitments to reduce fossil fuel usage and preserve our forests,” he stated.
PM Marape also recalled his virtual interview on BBC World News last year (2024), where he discussed climate change issues and clarified PNG’s absence from the Conference of the Parties (COP29) Meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. He expressed a strong stance against empty promises and inaction at climate conferences, emphasizing the need for serious commitments from those responsible for the largest carbon footprints.
“We’ve been discussing climate change extensively, yet there are no commitments from those with the largest carbon footprints. Whether nations or industries, they must take serious action to reduce fossil fuel usage and protect our forests,” he remarked.
Additionally, PM Marape reminded the Forestry and Climate Change Sectors of his statement during the BBC interview that PNG is willing to attend COP30, hosted in Brazil (a rainforest nation like PNG) this year (2025), with hopes for serious discussions on forest conservation and fossil fuel reduction.
The meetings held today at Melanesian Haus are part of Prime Minister Marape and his Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Government Departments and Agencies across various sectors, ensuring key deliverables and outcomes are achieved in a timely manner.
PM Marape emphasized the importance of enabling Government support for these critical sectors to ensure successful execution of key initiatives. He stated, “It is my Government’s priority to set the right path for our nation today with the manpower and resources we have. I urge all Government Departmental Heads and Agencies to truly play their roles effectively and efficiently. There is no room for complacency and delay in implementing key deliverables. Where Government organizational heads cannot perform and deliver as expected, I will not hesitate to remove or make changes accordingly.
“I have a role to play and I have set the vision and pathway for us. We all must work in unison to achieve results for a better future for our country.”