Under Prime Minister James Marape’s directive, all Papua New Guinean nationals must register with their national identification by September 16, 2025. PM Marape also directed that the National Youth Authority open and maintain a 24-hour call centre for the nation’s youth; and that all young Papua New Guineans forced out of the school system utilise the Facility for Open Distant Education (FODE) to complete their education. The Prime Minister made known the policy directions on Friday 10th, January during the launching of the inaugural PNG Youth Resource Week (YRW) in Port Moresby before a crowd of youth at Sir John Guise Stadium. The YRW was launched to create a platform of information and connection for the young men and women of the country caught out of the school system and the formal sector. It will work at linking the youth to the Marape-Rosso Government programs and initiatives such as FODE and TVET in Education; MSME, Labour Mobility, and recruitment into the disciplinary forces in Business and Employment; in Sports; and Arts & Culture. The YRW launched on Friday 10 January 2025, to coincide with the first anniversary of ‘Black Wednesday’ – the rampage and looting of businesses in Port Moresby last year 2024. This was to drive messages of strength and positive change among the youth. A full exposition will be held a month later in February where government agencies and private sector partners will be present to demonstrate services they have on offer for the youth and assist them to open up the links. The initiative is the Government’s response to addressing the escalating youth bulge in the country by connecting the young people for the existing programs initiative Marape-led Government since 2019. PM Marape called on government agencies led by the Department of Community Development Religion and Youth, and Department of Education to do more in creating clear and accessible pathways for the young people where they can easily access the available programs. He said, “We have many programs in education, skills training, small business development and labour mobility but they are not reaching you, our youth. Government agencies are failing to make these opportunities visible, accessible, and understandable so you can benefit from them. This will change now because you are very important for the future of our country." “Keep a look out for FODE which you can register in to complete your education. It will be at no costs at all to you as your government is paying for the fees. We also have SME; we have labour mobility; you can make money in agriculture; you can play sports and rugby league; you can make music and paint.” “All our young men must rise up and protect our women and girls and secure our communities." "Have hope. Feel energised. Reclaim your identity as Christian Melanesian Papua New Guineans and together we can build a better country,” said Prime Minister Marape. PM Marape made a call out to all youths to avail themselves at the YRW expo in February when it opens in Port Moresby and other centres when the YRW is moving around the country.