Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor
general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after
consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges
are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Party [Dr. Banare BUN, party leader];
Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL, party leader];
National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George
MANOA, party president]; National Party [Melchior PEP, party
leader]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Chris HAIVETA,
party leader]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking DORUBA, party
leader]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA, party leader];
Papua New Guinea Party (was People's Democratic Movement or PDM)
[Sir Mekere MORAUTA, party leader]; People's Action Party or PAP
[Moses MALADINA, party leader]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Ekis
ROPENU, party leader]; People's National Congress or PNC [Peter
O'NEILL, party leader]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Andrew
BAING, party leader]; Pipol First Party [Luther WENGE, party
leader]; Rural People's Party [Peter NAMUS, party leader]; United
Party [Bire KIMASOPA, party leader]; United Resources Party or URP
[Tim NEVILLE, party leader] (2004)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF,
Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC
20036
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle
is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower
triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered
Economy Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but
exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost
of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence
livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including
oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The
economy has improved over the past two years, following a prolonged
period of instability. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had
tried to restore integrity to state institutions, to stabilize the
kina, restore stability to the national budget, to privatize public
enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure ongoing peace on
Bougainville. Australia annually supplies $240 million in aid, which
accounts for 20% of the national budget. Challenges face Prime
Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor
confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets,
maintaining the support of members of Parliament, and balancing
relations with Australia, the former colonial ruler.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.99 billion (2004 est.)