UN Secretary General to visit PNG for 50th Independence Anniversary

The UN Secretary-General will arrive in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Tuesday, 2 September, at the invitation of Prime Minister James Marape to participate in events marking the country’s 50th independence anniversary.

On Wednesday, 3 September, he will address Parliament, highlighting how Papua New Guinea has built a nation from over 800 languages and diverse traditions, united in a shared commitment to peace, dignity, and progress. The Secretary-General will also note that this is his first visit to the Pacific since the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion affirming that addressing the climate crisis is a legal obligation under international law.

This marks the first-ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a sitting UN Secretary-General.