Papua New Guinea has reaffirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during the 2025 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, where it was among 37 countries presenting their Voluntary National Review (VNR). The delegation, led by National Planning Minister Sir Ano Pala, highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in the country’s pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the Ministerial Segment held from 15 to 24 July.
PNG’s presentation of its second VNR was accompanied by a General Debate statement delivered by Minister Pala on 21 July. In both engagements, he framed the review not only as a reflection of the country’s SDG performance to date, but also as a call to action in the final five-year sprint toward the 2030 deadline.
“For Papua New Guinea, this year is particularly significant, as we celebrate 50 years of Independence and an unbroken democracy—a remarkable journey of resilience,” Sir Ano stated. “Despite our diverse traditions and cultures, we have remained united.”
National Development Strategies Aligned to SDGs
Central to PNG’s SDG efforts is the integration of global goals into national frameworks. Minister Pala emphasized the alignment of the SDGs with Papua New Guinea’s National Strategy for Responsible Sustainable Development (StaRS) and the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (2023–2027), which jointly guide national planning, resource allocation, and coordination.
Notable progress was reported in health and well-being, especially under the National Health Plan 2021–2030, which targets universal health coverage and improved access to primary healthcare. Advances in maternal and child health, reduction in adolescent pregnancies, and expanded services in rural areas were highlighted as key health outcomes.
On gender equality, Sir Ano drew attention to the mainstreaming of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy and the 2023 establishment of a Bipartisan Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. These institutional mechanisms are designed to strengthen national accountability and drive efforts to combat gender-based violence.
In the economic sphere, the government outlined its ongoing strategy to diversify away from extractives, citing targeted investment in agriculture, tourism, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), vocational education, and youth employment programs—including a K80 million allocation in 2023. The National Employment Policy 2021–2031, currently under implementation, aims to reduce unemployment and improve labour market outcomes, especially for youth and women.
Ocean Governance and Global Diplomacy
A key highlight of PNG’s multilateral engagement was Minister Pala’s reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance, referencing Prime Minister James Marape’s recent signing of the BBNJ Agreement (the High Seas Treaty) in June 2025 in Nice, France. The treaty aims to conserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. PNG plans to ratify the agreement during the UN General Assembly in September 2025.
This commitment to ocean stewardship is significant, not just for PNG’s domestic priorities, but also in the context of broader Pacific leadership on climate resilience and blue economy development.
Navigating Capacity Constraints
While progress was acknowledged, the PNG delegation was candid about the systemic and institutional constraints affecting development. Sir Ano acknowledged ongoing capacity gaps across key sectors and underscored the government’s intention to address these through reforms and stronger partnerships.
He called for enhanced collaboration across government, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. “The SDGs cannot be achieved by governments alone,” he noted, “but through collective effort in the spirit of leaving no one behind.”
Strategic Bilateral Engagements
On the margins of the Forum, Sir Ano held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Israel, Ireland, and Portugal, exploring areas of mutual cooperation and knowledge exchange. These side meetings signal Papua New Guinea’s intention to leverage the SDGs framework not just as a domestic tool for development, but also as a platform for strategic diplomacy and partnership-building.
Global Stage, Local Priorities
This year’s HLPF focused on five priority SDGs: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)—areas where PNG’s interventions clearly aligned. The overarching theme of the 2025 Forum—“Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda”—resonated strongly with PNG’s national messaging.
The outcomes from this year’s HLPF will inform the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for 4–6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar. For Papua New Guinea, the HLPF has provided a timely platform to project its development narrative, reinforce its multilateral commitments, and position itself as a nation striving to translate global agendas into local action.
As the global community accelerates toward the 2030 deadline, PNG’s experience demonstrates the dual realities facing many developing states: measurable gains in key areas, yet systemic hurdles that require coordinated solutions. The question now is whether Papua New Guinea—buoyed by international support, domestic resolve, and a clear policy roadmap—can sustain momentum and close the SDG gap by the end of the decade.