The Bougainville House of Representatives had recently passed the 2025 ABG Budget, under the theme “Budgeting for Nation-Building”. The Budget Statement was presented in parliament, providing a detailed overview of Bougainville’s 2025 financial landscape by Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Minister for Finance, Robin Wilson. Minister Wilson during the presentation of the 2025 ABG Budget emphasized the importance of the budget in charting a deliberate pathway toward Bougainville’s development goals. “We have set ourselves a very deliberate pathway, and this budget will assist us in walking this path together.” The total budget estimate for 2025 is K856.66 million, comprising recurrent and development grants from the national government, internally generated revenue, and re-appropriated funds from previous years. The revenue sources are detailed as follows: • National grants funding allocations: K486.51 million • Internal revenue estimates: K53.66 million • Cash balances from previous years’ allocations: K316.82 million Minister Wilson clarified however, that not all National Budget allocations will be remitted to the ABG due to the application of two different Organic Laws. ABG will receive funds as specified under the Organic Law on Peacebuilding in Bougainville – Autonomous Bougainville Government and Referendum 2002. The Expenditures are categorized into two main components: • Recurrent Expenditures: K196.51 million • Development Expenditures: K540.17 million Recurrent Expenditures/ Recurrent spending is allocated to the three arms of government and public sector salaries: • Executive Government: K46.0 million • Legislature: K44.8 million • Judiciary: K0.3 million • Salaries and allowances: K144.0 million (for public servants, teachers, and the House of Representatives) Development Expenditures / The development component reflects the ABG’s nation-building priorities and includes the Restoration and Development Grants (RDG) and inter-government funding commitments. Minister Wilson further highlighted that these allocations align with the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027. “The main spending areas of the 2025 ABG Budget focus on Bougainville’s nation-building priorities rather than restoration efforts.” “The Budget emphasizes strong economic policies and effective programs to build capacity and advance government plans for independence.” The development budget is distributed across seven strategic sectors: 1. Government, Public Service, and Independence Readiness Sector: K69.43 million (46%) 2. Law and Justice Sector: K14.38 million (9.6%) 3. Health and Education Sector: K10.97 million (7.3%) 4. Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation Sector: K0.2 million (0.1%) 5. Infrastructure Sector: K28.05 million (18.7%) 6. Economic Sector: K21.28 million (14.2%) 7. Social Sector: K5.7 million (3.8%)