Prime Minister James Marape, left, held bilateral discussions with the United Nations secretary-general António Guterres at his Melanesian House Office in Port Moresby on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. Photo: Facebook / Department of Prime Minister & NEC
The United Nations (UN) secretary-general Antonio Guterres will address Papua New Guinea's national parliament today.
The UN chief is in Papua New Guinea on a four-day official state visit from 2 to 5 September.
Prime Minister James Marape has held bilateral discussions with Guterres at his Melanesian House Office in Port Moresby on Tuesday.
"We remain fully committed to the United Nations Charter and to the principles of peace and cooperation among nations," Marape said.
Marape said Guterres' visit during PNG's 50th anniversary "is historic" and "affirms our place in the global family of nations and our shared responsibility to work together."
He also assured the UN boss that his government is committed to implementing the outcome of the Bougainville referendum. Bougainville head to the polls on Thursday to elect their next government.
Guterres said PNG has chosen the path of wisdom and peace when it came to their autonomous region of Bougainville.
He said the way the government has managed the Bougainville referendum demonstrates its commitment to democracy and dialogue.
I am honoured to be the first @UN Secretary-General to visit Papua New Guinea & to join in celebrating 50 years of the country’s independence.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 2, 2025
I thank Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, Prime Minister Marape & the people of Papua New Guinea for their warm welcome.
The United… pic.twitter.com/yVIUVPVF87
PNG foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko said the country recognises the crucial role of the UN through collective action and cooperation among member states.
"We have always stood firm with our colleague of member nations, as we believe in and will continue to promote Bilateralism," he wrote in a post on his official Facebook page.
"While we also continue to be an active contributor to global dialogue, we continue to support the role of the UN as provider of humanitarian aid, and facilitator of agreements on worldwide issues such as poverty, climate change, and disease," he added.
