Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (L) and Britain's Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (C) raise a toast during a dinner on the eve of Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary, in Port Moresby on 15 September 2025. Photo: AFP / Andrew Kutan
As Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence, Prime Minister James Marape paid tribute to Sir Michael Somare - known as the father of the nation.
Sir Michael led the country to independence from Australia in 1975 and was its first prime minister.
Speaking at an official state banquet in Port Moresby on Monday night, Marape said the spirit of Sir Michael's generation continued to drive Papua New Guinea and its people.
"I want to say a big thank you to the greatest generation of Papua New Guineans who ever lived - the Somare generation," he said.
"When everybody else said it was impossible, they said it was possible."
He touched on the country's history - noting that PNG people far preceded the formal recognition of an independent nation.
"This dinner is not just a meal. It is a reflection on where the most diverse nation on the face of planet earth had come from.
"In case some of you do not know us fully and deeply, we were a people that have existed in this part of earth for many, many, many hundreds and thousands of years.
"1975 was just a construct of nation, as depicted in United Nations Charter. Before that, we were a people that existed. And I want to say, 50 years on, we have preserved our democracy.
"Fifty years on, we have lived under one constitution, when many nations of the world have broken their original constitution and are living with second or third constitution, this diverse nation on the face of planet Earth, have maintained one national anthem, have maintained one national pledge, have maintained one constitution.
"Seventeen governments were formed not by the barrel of a gun, but through the democratic processes on the floor of Parliament."
He paid tribute to Australian leadership, "past and present who are here tonight and who've been with us every step of the way since 15th of September, when the flag was lowered".
"They never ran out from us. It was really from their wombs that we were birthed."
Photo: Teuila Fuatai
Marape said he believes the future holds huge promise and progress for his country.
"By God's grace, and the work of churches in our country, our country has remained together thus far, and has every indication that we will be together going forward into the future, subject to the challenges that face us and many of the constitutional process that is running, including the conversation on Bougainville, this country stands every possibility of succeeding into the future."
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (C), Britain's Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (5th L) and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albnanese (5th R) and other Pacific leaders pose for a photo during a dinner event on the eve of Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary, in Port Moresby on 15 September 2025 Photo: AFP / Andrew Kutan
Guests from around the world are in the city for celebrations, including Britain's Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, the Crown Prince of Tonga Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
Prince Edward gave a special toast as he represented his brother, King Charles III, in Port Moresby for the celebrations.
He spoke of when his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, visited Port Moresby in 1974.
"She made a promise to you, to assure you of continuing friendship and assistance.
"I very much hope that we have been able to prove that over these last 50 years."
PNG remains part of the Commonwealth, which is headed by the British monarch.
