Papua New Guinea’s Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu has reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in 2033, a major international event expected to require around K500 million ($134 million) in government investment.
Pomaleu made the remarks while addressing heads of the Committee on APEC Policy Implementation (CAPI) in Port Moresby on February 24.
He said hosting APEC 2033 would require disciplined long-term planning, sustained political support and stronger partnerships across government agencies, provincial administrations and the private sector.
“National undertakings like this require disciplined strategic planning, sustained political support and broader partnerships across government, provinces and the private sector,” Pomaleu said.
Drawing lessons from Papua New Guinea’s hosting of APEC in 2018, Pomaleu said preparations must go beyond logistical arrangements and focus on long-term national development priorities.
“We debuted in terms of hosting APEC in 2018. We didn’t know too much. Now we know a little bit more. The focus from here on is to build momentum and take a long-term view of what should happen,” he said.
He added that infrastructure planning and investment should be strategically sequenced over the coming years to support both the summit and broader economic development.
Pomaleu stressed that APEC-related investments must deliver visible benefits for the population and be aligned with wider policy reforms and economic outcomes.
“There is no point in hosting the event if we cannot clearly articulate what it means to our people,” he said.
Among the government’s priorities is the preparation of a comprehensive National APEC 2033 Strategy outlining infrastructure, investment and institutional requirements, along with clear timelines for implementation.
The government also plans to strengthen engagement with provincial governments to ensure the economic benefits of APEC-related projects extend beyond the capital.
Pomaleu highlighted the need for stronger collaboration with the private sector to mobilise financing for infrastructure and hospitality developments required for the event.
Policy priorities are also expected to reflect emerging global trends, including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, low-carbon development and innovations in education and services.
He said the government would also develop a performance framework to ensure APEC investments translate into measurable social and economic outcomes.
Pomaleu noted that lessons from the 2018 APEC summit underscore the importance of clearly communicating the economic and trade benefits of hosting the forum so that citizens understand its national value.
Transparency, strong project management and adherence to approval and reporting processes will be essential to maintaining public confidence and political support, he added.
A draft National APEC 2033 Strategy is currently being prepared and will be circulated to stakeholders for consultation.
Pomaleu also acknowledged the role of development partners and technical cooperation supporting preparations for the summit, including contributions from the APEC Policy Support Unit.
He urged senior officials and government agencies to prioritise the APEC work programme and regularly report progress as preparations advance.
