About us
Who is the
Honorable James MARAPE
The Honourable James Marape is a Papua New Guinea (PNG) politician, currently serving as the country’s Prime Minister. Born on 24 April 1971, James Marape is a leading member of the Papua New Guinea People’s Party (Pangu Party) and has held several leadership positions throughout his career.
Biography:
Education and Early Career: James Marape hails from Tari-Pori Province in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, a region known for its natural resources and tribal culture. He continued his education at the National University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), where he obtained a degree in Commerce and Management.
Before entering politics, he worked in the private sector and gained valuable experience in management and business.
Political career:
Marape began his political career in 2002, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Tari-Pori constituency. His commitment to politics has been marked by his willingness to advocate for his constituents and promote causes related to economic development, education and infrastructure improvement in his home province.
Minister of Finance: Before becoming Prime Minister, James Marape served as Minister of Finance of Papua New Guinea under Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, between 2012 and 2019. During his tenure, Marape played a central role in the management of public finances and economic reforms.
However, he has been an increasingly vocal critic of Peter O’Neill’s government, particularly on natural resource management and contract transparency. His critical stance led him to resign from his post in 2019, after which he announced his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: In May 2019, James Marape became the 8th Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. His rise to power was marked by a break with former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, whom he criticized for poor economic management and a lack of transparency in mining and oil deals.
Marape proposed an ambitious “Take Back PNG” plan, aimed at increasing benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea in extractive industries, including oil, gas and minerals. He also advocated for health sector reform, improved infrastructure, and a policy more focused on domestic development rather than foreign deals.
Development and Reform Policy: As Prime Minister, Marape emphasized the importance of strengthening Papua New Guinea’s economic and political sovereignty. He put in place measures to ensure that the country’s natural wealth benefits the local population rather than foreign companies.
Under his leadership, Papua New Guinea has worked to strengthen its relationships with other Pacific nations and improve its position on the world stage.
Impact and Achievements:
James Marape has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable development, improving infrastructure and reducing poverty. His government has sought to modernise key sectors in the country, including agriculture, education and health.
Conclusion:
James Marape is recognised as a determined leader, seeking to bring positive and lasting change to Papua New Guinea, while strengthening the country’s integrity and independence. His leadership is marked by a desire to break with past practices, with an emphasis on economic justice and transparency.
Our Mission
The Honourable James Marape Foundation’s mission is to support the citizens of Papua New Guinea, particularly those from the most vulnerable communities, by providing direct access to financial assistance, travel grants and loans for development projects. We strongly believe in the power of every individual to transform their lives and the lives of their communities, given the necessary resources.
Founded by the Honourable James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, our foundation works towards a more inclusive, caring and prosperous future for all citizens. As a responsible and committed entity, we work tirelessly to provide financial empowerment opportunities, making essential funds available to those who need them most. Through a network of partners and financial advisors, we are committed to maximising the impact of our assistance programmes.
Our Vision
To build a more equitable Papua New Guinea, where every citizen, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the resources they need to improve their lives. Through strong partnerships, transparent management of funds and a commitment to social innovation, we believe that together we can build a more just and prosperous future.
As a company led by the Honourable James Marape, we are committed to being a catalyst for change for Papua New Guineans. We value transparency, integrity and efficiency in the management of our programs. Every initiative we implement is designed to have a lasting and meaningful impact, providing solutions tailored to the economic challenges our citizens face.