Prime Minister and Pangu Pati Leader James Marape has welcomed the outcomes of the party’s 28th National Convention, describing the gathering as one of the most policy-driven in the party’s history and setting a long-term national agenda ahead of Papua New Guinea’s future development goals.
Last week, the convention brought together 44 provincial executives from 21 provinces and Bougainville, alongside party council members and representatives of the parliamentary wing, to review party progress, reaffirm leadership and endorse reforms and policy priorities across key sectors.
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Prime Minister Marape said the convention reflected the growing maturity and institutional strength of Pangu Pati as it approaches its 60th anniversary next year, with discussions centered on governance, national development and long-term outcomes rather than personalities.
“Pangu Pati remains one of Papua New Guinea’s most enduring political institutions,” he said.
“Twenty-eight national conventions since the party’s establishment reflect a strong organizational structure, a functioning constitution and a commitment to democratic participation and accountability.”
The convention unanimously reaffirmed the party’s leadership structure, including Prime Minister Marape as Parliamentary Leader alongside regional and provincial leadership teams nationwide.
Delegates also endorsed constitutional reforms introducing a two-term limit for leadership positions throughout the party structure.
“I welcome these reforms because leadership should always be accountable to members and subject to renewal through democratic processes,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Under the convention theme, “Next Generation, Not Next Election – Leaving No Place and No Child Behind,” delegates reaffirmed support for long-term national development priorities.
Infrastructure development remained a key focus, with strong backing for continued investment in roads, bridges, ports, airports, electricity, telecommunications and internet connectivity.
Delegates reaffirmed support for the Connect PNG Programme, which aims to establish approximately 20,000 kilometers of road connections nationwide by 2040 to improve access to services and unlock economic opportunities.
“Infrastructure remains the foundation for economic growth, national unity and service delivery,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The convention also endorsed a national objective of ensuring all Papua New Guineans can access quality healthcare within one hour of where they live.
Delegates supported continued investment in provincial and district hospitals, community health services and specialist medical care, while reinforcing the goal of fully functioning provincial hospitals and improved healthcare access across all districts.
“Our goal is simple: no Papua New Guinean should be denied access to quality healthcare because of geography,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Education was identified as another national priority, with delegates reaffirming support for universal education through to Grade 12 and continued investment in education infrastructure, teacher training, skills development and student development.
The convention also endorsed the Government’s K11 billion education infrastructure investment programme through to 2035.
“Education remains the single most important investment we can make in the future of our country,” Prime Minister Marape said.
On law and justice, delegates endorsed measures to strengthen policing, correctional services and community-based justice systems.
Targets included expanding the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to between 10,000 and 15,000 personnel by 2035, increasing Correctional Services staffing to 5,000 officers and improving access to correctional facilities nationwide.
The convention further endorsed stronger village court and mediation mechanisms.
“Papua New Guinea must be a safe, secure and orderly country where citizens can live, work and invest with confidence,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Delegates also backed strengthening the Papua New Guinea Defense Force towards a target of 7,000 personnel supported by improved maritime, air and intelligence capabilities.
On economic growth, the convention reaffirmed national targets of growing the economy to K200 billion by 2030, K300 billion by 2035 and K500 billion by 2045.
Support was also reaffirmed for major projects including Papua LNG and Wafi-Golpu, together with downstream processing and policies aimed at increasing national participation and returns from resource development.
The convention-maintained support for a preferred resource benefit-sharing framework of 55 per cent national benefits and 45 per cent investor benefits for future developments.
Prime Minister Marape said delegates also strongly supported the party’s objective of enabling one million Papua New Guinean families to participate in productive economic activity through agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism and small business.
“Our goal is to ensure one million families are actively participating in economic activity, generating income and improving their quality of life,” he said.
Public sector reform and greater use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence were also endorsed to strengthen transparency, merit-based appointments and service delivery.
Delegates supported a workforce distribution model targeting 10 per cent of staff at national headquarters, 20 per cent at provincial offices and 70 per cent in frontline district and community services.
The convention further reaffirmed Pangu Pati’s commitment to the constitutional and legal processes guiding Bougainville’s political future and continued dialogue under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Prime Minister Marape commended party members and executives for maintaining a strong focus on governance and nation-building throughout the convention.
“Our members focused on policy, governance and nation-building. That is exactly what a modern political party should do,” he said.
“As we prepare for Papua New Guinea’s next chapter, Pangu Pati remains committed to building a safer, stronger and more prosperous nation for all our people.”