Country name
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG

Data code PP

Government type parliamentary democracy

National capital Port Moresby

Administrative divisions 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Independence 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Constitution 16 September 1975

Legal system based on English common law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since 13 November 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Bill SKATE (since 22 July 1997); Deputy Prime Minister Michael NALI (since 16 December 1997); note - NALI replaces Deputy Prime Minister Chris HAIVETA (since 7 September 1994) who Prime Minister SKATE fired on 12 December 1997 for his alleged role in trying to discredit SKATE
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general for up to five years on the basis of majority support in National Parliament

Legislative branch unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats - 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002)
election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note - association with political parties is very fluid

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 Bougainville Unity Alliance (BUA), Samuel AKOITAI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Michael NALI; Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Pati), Chris HAIVETA; National Alliance (NA), Michael SOMARE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Iario LASARO; People's Action Party (PAP), Ted DIRO; United Party (UP), Rimbiuk PATO; National Party (NP), Paul PORA; People's Unity Party (PUP), Alfred KAIABE; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS; Movement for Greater Autonomy, Stephen POKAWIN; Christian Democratic Party, Dilu GOMA; Papua New Guinea First Party (includes People's National Congress or PNC, Bill SKATE, and Christian Country Party, Avusi TANO) leader NA; People's Resources Awareness Party, leader NA; Liberal Party, Rabbie SAMAI; People's Solidarity Party, Kala SWOKIM; Melanesian Labour Party, Paul MONDIA; Black Action Party, Paul WANJIK; League for National Advancement (LNA), leader NA; United Resource Party, Masket IANGALIO; Hausman Party, Waim TOKAM; Milne Bay Party, Simon MUMURIK

International organization participation ACP, APEC, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Nagora Y. BOGAN
chancery: 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Arma Jane KARAER
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby
mailing address: P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby
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

NOTE: The information regarding Papua New Guinea on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Papua New Guinea Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Papua New Guinea Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.