New York City, 26 September 2025
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, in his address to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, called for global solidarity, peaceful dialogue, and urgent climate responsibility, as Papua New Guinea marked its 50th year as a Member of the UN Assembly.
“Since joining in October 1975, we have stood proudly by the principles of the UN Charter,” Marape declared, reflecting on the enduring strength of Papua New Guinea’s Constitution. “At independence, our Founding Fathers gave us a single Constitution that has endured for half a century.”
Unity in Diversity Marape highlighted PNG’s extraordinary cultural diversity over 1,000 tribes, 850 languages, and 600 islands — unified by a Constitution that “protects human rights, affirms our Christian heritage while guaranteeing freedom of religion, preserves culture, and safeguards our environment.”
He applauded the role of churches in delivering essential services alongside the State, and emphasized religious coexistence: “We have Muslims, we have Hindus that practise the Hindu faith, we have many religions in our country.”
“In a world of so much divergence, Papua New Guinea has one or two lesions to teach the world. One of them is coexisting and living amidst diversity.”
Lessons of Peace Turning to conflict resolution, Marape shared the Bougainville crisis and emphasized on the the peace forged under UN oversight.
“For a decade, Bougainville suffered violence, but through dialogue… we achieved the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement. Not a bullet has been fired since.”
He urged global powers to embrace dialogue, referencing the Israel-Gaza conflict: “Why don’t we give peace a go? Come and sit at the table of peace, that could be something that the world can learn from Papua New Guinea.”
Climate Leadership and Global Responsibility Marape reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
“Papua New Guinea is a forest nation and an ocean nation,” he said, noting that its ecosystems are vital carbon sinks and biodiversity havens.
He issued a direct appeal to industrialized nations, “Our carbon footprint is minimal… PNG produces 10 million metric tonnes of carbon a year, yet we subsume over 100 million metric tonnes. Someone producing those excess carbon out there must assist me to preserving our forest for the upkeep of our planet.”
“Don’t live in ignorance,” he emphasized. “Ask your own scientists, our planet is warming up as we speak.”
Marape thanked the UN, Australia, and development partners for their support over five decades.
He also acknowledged UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ historic visit to Papua New Guinea earlier this year, which he described as “both affirmation and accountability.”
“But he also reminded us to fight corruption, strengthen governance, and ensure services reach all citizens,” Marape said.
“At 50 years, we recommit to transformation so that no citizen is left behind.”
Marape congratulated the UN on its 80th anniversary and stated PNG’s belief in multilateralism: “Just as Papua New Guinea finds unity in its diversity, so must all nations uphold the UN’s sanctity.”
“Our message to the world is simple, Unity can be found in diversity. Peace is built and sustained through dialogue. This one planet must be preserved for all generations.”