Prime Minister James Marape has extended invitations to Papua New Guinea’s bilateral partners to join the country in celebrating its 50th Independence anniversary this year. The invitations acknowledge the long-established ties and contributions these countries have made to PNG’s development over the years. During a meeting held yesterday with high commissioners and ambassadors from Australia, China, South Korea, the United States of America, France, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the Philippines, Fiji, Solomon Islands, the Vatican, and the European Union, Prime Minister Marape extended verbal invitations to the heads of governments of these countries through their representative heads of missions. "I want to thank you individually as high commissioners and ambassadors and as esteemed representatives of your respective countries for having faith in our country. Your missions have played vital roles since 1975 to now when we are celebrating 50 years of nationhood," said PM Marape. "On behalf of my country and people, I extend our warmest invitations to the leaders of your countries to fully participate in and be a part of our celebrations." The Prime Minister added that formal invitations would be sent out in the coming weeks, also requesting support where possible. He expects full attendance by Pacific leaders, following a general agreement reached at last year's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' meeting to have the leaders move from Solomon Islands to PNG after the conclusion of the 2025 PIF meeting. "We are holding our regional PIF meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in September this year, and soon after the PIF meeting concludes, we will have our leaders flown to PNG for the 50th anniversary celebration," he said. PM Marape acknowledged that many heads of government would be engaged in the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September. He has asked that governments consider sending senior representatives to join the people of PNG. At the meeting, Prime Minister Marape also highlighted the significant roles heads of missions have played in PNG's development. "Each of you plays a critical role in our country, which we greatly value. As my country prepares for our 50th anniversary, we want you to be a part of the celebrations and to see where you can help going into the next 50 years." He outlined plans to make PNG a safer country with a bigger economy, focusing on transitioning from primary to secondary and tertiary industries, with an emphasis on downstream processing and manufacturing. "We are a country that straddles the Pacific and South East Asia; therefore, we will continue to play a leadership role in fostering peace in the region. We have resources, including food and energy for our part of the world, and I am pleased to inform you all that my government is launching a 20-year road map for PNG this year. This will establish a precise pathway in hastening development, and every support your country can offer in these areas will be much appreciated," said Prime Minister Marape.