In commemoration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary, the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) successfully hosted the inaugural National Conference on the Constitution of Papua New Guinea at APEC Haus from 27–28 November 2025.
The two-day conference brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including key government agencies, constitutional offices, public servants, NGOs, researchers, lawyers, judges, policymakers, and law enthusiasts. Notable participants included Constitutional Father Chief Dr. John Momis and Papua New Guinea’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Arnold Amet.
The forum aimed to strengthen CLRC’s core mandate in law review and reform by gathering diverse perspectives, views, and expert commentary on the development and evolution of the Constitution over the past 50 years.
The conference was officially opened by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, alongside Chief Dr. John Momis and CLRC Chairman Hon. Saki Soloma. This was followed by an opening panel discussion featuring Chief Dr. Momis, Ms. Josephine Kilage, Ms. Winnie Kiap, and Professor Stephen Pokawin, who led discussions on key aspects of the Constitution.
Over the course of the conference, participants presented on various areas of law, identifying critical issues, legislative gaps, and proposing reforms and pathways forward. Key themes covered included the National Goals and Directive Principles, the evolution of the Constitution, decentralization, healthcare delivery, the system of government, parliamentary processes, human rights, customary land, electoral integrity, and environmental resilience, among others.
the Constitution of PNG.
These insights are vital in supporting CLRC’s work, ensuring that its law reform initiatives are informed, practical, and responsive to the current and emerging needs of Papua New Guinea.
CLRC Chairman Hon. Saki Soloma emphasized the importance of the conference, noting that such a forum is both timely and necessary in fostering a collective national effort toward ensuring laws remain just and equitable.
“As Papua New Guinea approaches 50 years of Independence, this conference provides a timely space to evaluate how our Constitution has shaped the nation, how it continues to influence our development journey, and how we can strengthen it for the next half-century and beyond.”
At the conclusion of the presentations, participants were presented with tokens of appreciation in recognition of their valuable contributions. Their insights will play a significant role in informing future Terms of Reference undertaken by the Commission.
As a statutory body established under the CLRC Act 2004, CLRC undertakes legal research, public consultations, and policy analysis to identify legislative gaps and propose reforms that promote justice, good governance, and accountability. The conference served as a critical platform for advancing CLRC’s mandate in reviewing and reforming the laws of Papua New Guinea.
