ABG President Ishamel Toroama, sitting front (2nd left), with Sir Jerry Mateparae and PNG Prime Minister James Marape at the Joint Consultation Moderator Meeting. 17 March 2025 Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, says next week's meeting involving the governments of PNG and Bougainville is a milestone in the ongoing post referendum consultations.
In 2019 an overwhelming percentage of Bougainvilleans, 97.7 percent, voted for independence from PNG.
The referendum, though mandated by the 2001 Peace Agreement, was not binding.
The week of meetings is being held at New Zealand's Burnham army camp, near Christchurch.
In a statement Marape said Burnham is widely regarded as the spiritual home of the Bougainville peace process, after the role it played in hosting talks in 1997 that led to a cease fire in the civil war and the eventual Peace Agreement.
PNG Bougainville Premier Gerard Sinato signs the "Burnham Declaration" in 1997, which set in motion an end to the civil war. Photo: AFP
He said the Burnham talks will focus on finalising the process to bring the referendum results before the National Parliament.
Marape said the Era Kone Convenant committed both governments to present the referendum before parliament in 2025.
He said these steps will determine how that happens and what constitutional steps must be followed and that this will be grounded in mutual respect, dialogue and the spirit of reconciliation.
Teams of officials from both the PNG and Bougainville Governments were expected to arrive in Christchurch today.
