The people of Lae, Morobe, and across the nation have already come together in celebration, reflection, and anticipation of the bright future ahead with a lineup of activities pre- and post-independence. Kicking off in the month of August, was the ‘Lae City’s Got Talent Competition’ from August 4th – 31st, celebrating local talent and creativity of the people of Lae. On September 12, the Joint Forces Parade will take place at Eriku Oval, where PNG’s Police Band and Military Forces will march through the city to honor the unity and strength of the nation’s defense forces. The Morobe Show 2025…
Author: Aseneth WAIDE
East New Britain (ENB) Governor Michael Marum, has praised the strong sense of unity and generosity shown by Papua New Guineans and supporters at the Guria Gala Ball, held in Brisbane in Australia, as part of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations. The gala drew a diverse crowd not only from ENB but also from other provinces. Governor Marum extended heartfelt thanks to President Elsie Lee and her executive team for their leadership in organizing the event, which successfully brought together Papua New Guineans, Australians, and friends of PNG for a meaningful cause. Also, in attendance was Jelta Wong, Member…
The Mages Charity Safe House has received a vital donation of a generator from SWIRE Shipping, boosting its capacity to provide critical services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). The donation, made in collaboration with the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat (NGBVS), was officially handed over last Wednesday in Port Moresby. It comes as part of SWIRE Shipping’s commitment to supporting the communities it operates in, through its Independence Committee initiative. Mages Charity Safe House is one of 51 facilities identified in the NGBVS safe house mapping report launched earlier this year, which spans 17 provinces. The Government’s Medium-Term Development Goal…
Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has successfully wrapped up its 2025 Literacy Week celebrations, held from September 1st- 5th, under the theme of “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds”. With a strong focus on nutritional literacy, financial literacy, and cultural literacy, the week-long event empowered thousands of children and parents across Papua New Guinea (PNG) with essential life skills that support lifelong learning. Held across BbP’s network of Library Learning Centres (LLCs) in Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, Manus, and other provinces, Literacy Week 2025 was made possible thanks to the generous support of ExxonMobil PNG, along with a wide network of donor partners and corporate…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit to Papua New Guinea, acknowledged the country’s efforts to address gender-based violence and promote women’s empowerment, while urging continued action across politics, culture, and society. Guterres noted that two out of three women in Papua New Guinea experience gender-based violence. He emphasized that solutions begin with open discussions about systemic and cultural barriers, sharing that in his own country, family violence was once a largely ignored problem that required determined action to address. “I know that in March this year, this parliament devoted an entire day to testimonies on gender-based violence.” “You…
National St John Ambulance (NStJA) and the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to strengthen health and safety across Port Moresby’s major sporting facilities. The partnership will support NStJA’s community health, social enterprise, and ambulance training programs while providing PNGSF staff with high-quality first aid training and regular health assessments. This initiative is aimed at protecting the high number of athletes, sports enthusiasts, and families who use PNGSF venues each year. Under the agreement, NStJA will establish dedicated training and storage facilities at the Taurama Aquatic Centre, offering regular basic and advanced…
In the lead-up to Papua New Guinea’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, the United States reaffirmed its enduring partnership with the Pacific nation through a high-level visit by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Jonathan Fritz. PDAS Fritz visited PNG from August 30 to September 3, laying the groundwork for the upcoming visit by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who will lead the U.S. delegation to the country’s independence celebrations later this month. U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Ann Marie Yastishock, emphasized that PDAS Fritz’s visit underscores the broad and growing partnership between the…
The Golden Jubilee Film Fest (2025), hosted by Paradise Cinema, kicked off on Monday, September 1st in Port Moresby, to commemorate Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The festival, which runs through 12th September, features free public screenings of films that highlight the country’s culture, health challenges, and history. The event showcases a variety of local films, including the medical docu-series Life in the Ward, which focuses on health issues in the country, and Grace, a drama directed by MacPolly Koima. Other films featured include Nana, Journey Through Time, Rural Health Goroka and Rural Health Chimbu. With a goal to…
António Guterres the first sitting UN Secretary-General to visit Papua New Guinea (PNG), addressed the parliament this morning, marking the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. In his speech to Parliament, Guterres praised the country’s rich cultural diversity and commitment to democracy. Guterres highlighted Papua New Guinea’s leadership in peacebuilding, especially the success of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, which celebrated its 21st anniversary. He applauded the nation’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace, including the upcoming autonomous elections in Bougainville, and reaffirmed the UN’s support for peace initiatives. Turning to climate change, Guterres commended Papua New Guinea for its bold stance on…
Kicks 4 Kokoda (K4K) recently held its first-ever football tournament in Kiorota, Oro Province, marking a significant milestone for the program. The event was met with overwhelming support from the local community, who came together to celebrate the power of sport and unity. The tournament had great competition, with Team Respect emerging as the champions, Team Openness as runners-up, Team Excellence in third place, and Team Honesty in fourth. Both final matches were decided by penalty shootouts, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. The event also highlighted the values of K4K, that is ‘Respect, Openness, Excellence, and…