Prime Minister James Marape has announced that over K1 billion will be invested into Southern Region infrastructure and connectivity projects. This was communicated during the signing of the 2025 Port Moresby Papua Accord. The investment will include road links from Port Moresby to Alotau, Kikori and Kerema – unlocking new opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and trade, driving economic growth in the region. PM Marape also pointed out recent trade successes in Abau District. “For the first time, Total is doing deep sea exploration at Mailu (Abau district). China has approved our coffee and seafood exports. Abau district in Central Province is now sending crabs directly to Singapore.” He also emphasized the importance of Papua to the country’s political independence. "From the very beginning, the Papuan side has contributed just as much to the nation as the New Guinea side.” "When you consider the historical divide between Papuan and New Guinea territories, Papua has produced four Prime Ministers: Bill Skate, Mekere Morauta, Peter O’Neill, and myself." He urged the nation to look beyond these artificial divisions, emphasizing the deep-rooted ancestral and trade ties between the regions. "We were united as a people long before there was a distinction between Papua and New Guinea. It's time to move past the idea of a divide between the two.”