The Papua New Guinea Government has received the initial findings of a comprehensive 50-Year National Review assessing the country’s socio-economic progress since independence.
Chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel and deputised by former Minister Arthur Somare, the review committee presented its preliminary report to Prime Minister James Marape and Cabinet on Monday.
The national review is a Cabinet-sanctioned initiative designed to take stock of PNG’s development trajectory over five decades, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. It also aims to articulate a clear blueprint to guide reform priorities and policy interventions for the next 20 years.
Prime Minister Marape described the report as a “timely reflection and forward-looking framework,” emphasizing that the review is “not just about where we’ve been, but where we’re going.” He stressed the importance of the insights to inform strategic decisions across government and advance the country’s national development agenda.
The review aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and deepen national dialogue on economic diversification, governance reform, infrastructure development, and social equity.
The full report is expected to be finalised and publicly released later this year, providing a critical reference point for policymakers, development partners, and civil society as PNG charts its course beyond its golden jubilee.