Sunday 14th September, 2025
Pacific Island leaders joined Prime Minister James Marape this morning in a tree-planting ceremony at the National Parliament to commemorate Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
The ceremony saw leaders from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea each planting a tree in the Parliament gardens, symbolizing their attendance and support for PNG’s Golden Jubilee.
Prime Minister Marape, accompanied by his wife Rachael, led the planting, joined by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and his spouse, FSM President Wesley Simina and his spouse, Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi, Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo and his spouse, and Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Ped Shanel Agovaka, who represented Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The leaders planted Aleppo Pine trees, a durable hardwood species brought from Bulolo Forest College in Morobe Province, chosen for its ability to live more than 100 years.
The trees are intended as a lasting tribute to PNG’s journey since 1975 and as a living reminder of the Pacific’s solidarity during the anniversary celebrations.
More regional leaders are expected to arrive ahead of the official Independence Day on Tuesday, including Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour with Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
Special envoys and government representatives from China, the United States, Japan, Israel and other bilateral partners will also be part of the celebrations.
The area within Parliament grounds where the trees were planted will be developed into the Golden Jubilee Park, a botanical garden highlighting PNG’s rich biodiversity.
With the country hosting up to seven percent of the world’s biodiversity, the new park will showcase endemic plant species and serve as a symbolic feature of the National Parliament.