Independence Day of Papua New Guinea

TODAY, Papua New Guinea celebrates the 42nd anniversary of its independence from Australia. Independence Day in Papua New Guinea traditionally commences with flag hoisting ceremonies, and features speeches of key officials, folk singing and dancing, craft fairs and exhibits, canoe races, and other festive activities. The main Independence Day ceremonies are held at Independence Hill in the capital city of Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea is a group of islands and an independent state in Maritime Southeast Asia. Its mainland on the island of New Guinea is bordered by Indonesia. It faces Australia, the Federated States of Microneasia, the Solomon Islands, and the New Caledonia (France) across the sea.

This Oceanian nation had been under the rule of three countries in the past: Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Germany established the Colony of New Guinea in 1884 in the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea; the rest of the island was a British protectorate. In 1902, the area under the British protectorate was placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. During the First World War, German New Guinea was seized by Australia. In 1920, the League of Nations created the Territory of New Guinea was and granted Australia a mandate to govern it. At the end of the Second World War, the Territory of Papua merged with New Guinea, thereby creating the Territory of New Guinea. In 1971, the Territory was renamed Papua New Guinea. After it became self-governing, it was granted full independence on September 16, 1975.

The Independent State of Papua New Guinea is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm with a parliamentary democracy. Its chief of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, whose representative is the governor-general who is nominated by Parliament. The head of government is the prime minister who is appointed by the governor-general.

The Philippines and Papua New Guinea have enjoyed warm and friendly relations since August 19, 1974, when the Philippines established a consulate-general in Port Moresby. The consulate-general office was upgraded to an embassy on September 16, 1975, when Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia. The move made the Philippines one of the first countries to formalize diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea. Around 25,000 Filipinos are in Papua New Guinea, working as hospitality managers, nurses, chefs, and language teachers, among others.

We greet the People and Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea led by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Governor General Sir Robert Dadae, and Prime Minister Peter O’ Neill, on the occasion of its 42nd Independence Day anniversary.