National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs
Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council
Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council
Key focus areas in the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and Post-Referendum Arrangements
Key focus areas in the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and Post-Referendum Arrangements
This agreement is a joint creation by the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and Leaders representing the people of Bougainville ("the Parties") to resolve the Bougainville conflict and to secure a lasting peace by peaceful means. It is intended to further the objectives of The Burnham Truce, the Lincoln and Ceasefire Agreements and other agreements and understandings between the parties. This Agreement will be implemented through consultation and co-operation, and will form the basis for drafting constitutional amendments and other laws in order to give legal effect to this Agreement.
The said Parties have work together to achieved commitment in the BPA in the three pillars:
Since the BPA was signed, peace has been maintained and autonomy of governance has been granted to Bougainville as a region within Papua New Guinea. The first Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) was inaugurated in 2005 under President Joseph Kabui. After two different president including stalwart John Momis, The Current President, Ishmael Toroama, is serving his second five-year term in office after winning the 2020 General Election. Eligible Bougainvilleans have participated in a referendum on the region's political status by 2020 as stipulated in the terms of the BPA. The autonomous Government for Bougainville is now 20 years of establishment since its inauguration.
The weapons disposal programme, launched on 6/12/2001, was gradually implemented across Bougainville in three stages, closely linked with progress on political and constitutional issues. The types of guns involved included "high-powered" firearms, sporting rifles, home-made firearms and World War II relics. By late October 2002, home-made firearms comprised slightly more than 50 per cent, and high-powered firearms less than 20 per cent, of all guns surrendered. Different areas of Bougainville began to disarm at different times, starting with Siwai in Southwest Bougainville, followed by Torokina in Northwest Bougainville, Bana in Central Bougainville, and Buka. The weapon disposal program is completed in late September 2019, the last of the guns surrendered as part of the weapons disposal programme were placed in an armoury at Panguna, Central Bougainville, with their firing pins removed. To mark this important milestone, the Bougainville Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation, Hon. Albert Pungahau, announced that people continuing to hold on to firearms would be prosecuted.
A Non-binding independence referendum was held in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, between 23 November and 7 December 2019. The referendum question presented a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea and full independence; voters voted overwhelmingly (97.7%) for independence. This referendum will be tabled in the floor of Parliament through a sessional order to decide the political future of Bougainville. After this the Section 342 of the National Constitution provide provision for two government to consult before the result goes to the National Parliament.
Consultation Under Section 342 of the National Constitution (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
Phase One (1) consultation was agreed and carried out by two Parties, Papua New Guinea Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government initially to commence the consultation process.
The first Joint Governmental Consultation Process (JGCP) between the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) commenced on, Tuesday 18th May 2021 in Kokopo at the Gazelle International Hotel between leaders, technical experts and governmental officials from the National Government and the ABG. This was the first (JGCP) of a series of meetings following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the National Government and the ABG in the nation's capital. The outcome of the post-referendum consultation held was:
The second consultation between two parties, the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government was held in Wabag 6th of July 2021.
Outcome:
The Third consultation between two parties, the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government was held in APEC HAUS Port Moresby on the 6th of July 2021.
Outcome:
Phase Two (2), during the implementation of ERA KONE COVENANT two government knotted in the Impasses on the sitting arrangements in the Parliament. National Government opt for Absolute Majority (2/3) of the parliamentary members while Autonomous Bougainville Government opt from a simple majority that is 50 plus 1 member. So, this impasse called for Independent Moderator to facilitate and mediate the subject. Therefore, Lt Gen the Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae was engaged with the specific TOR to carryout the said task.
The first moderator's consultation between Papua New Guinea Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government was held on the 17-18 March, 2025, at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby.
Key objectives:
The Second moderator's consultation between Papua New Guinea Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government was held on the 7-10 April, 2025, at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby.
Key objectives:
The Third moderator's consultation between Papua New Guinea Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government was held on the 9-12 June, 2025, at Burnham Military Camp Christchurch Aotearoa New Zealand is recognized as spiritual birth place of negotiation process that led to Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA).
Areas of discussion at Burnham, as agreed between parties:
The Fourth & Final Joint Moderators' Consultation and Melanesia Agreement Signing Ceremony between Papua New Guinea Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government was held on the 24 June, 2025, at Hilton Hotel Port Moresby on the Afternoon. The Initial Agreement between the two parties to held the meeting at Bougainville but moved to Port Moresby to enable Prime Minister's attendance.
Key agenda items:
An agreement between the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), collectively, (the Parties"), to craft and pursue a clear political pathway forward, in accordance with the requirements of S342 and Part XIV of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea (the National Constitution), which implements the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The implementation of the Melanesian Agreement is incumbent and currently implementing by the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government. The scenario planning and legal and constitutional process that will be followed before the referendum result is being tabled in the 11th Parliament through sessional order. Pursuant to Section 342(2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 284 to adopt the Sessional order in relation to Bougainville Referendum Results. The vote shall be decided by two third of the absolute Majority.
The Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville matters consultation started on 17th October 2025, in Highland Region (Goroka - EHP), Lae Morobe, Kokopo Rabaul, Parliament Haus, POM and ended in Bougainville as part its nationwide effort to gather public view and feedbacks on Bougainville Referendum and its implication on upcoming Parliamentary decision on Bougainville Political Settlements. These views give a balanced opinion the process of the consultation on the provision of Part XIV, Section 342 of the National Constitution stipulates the Referendum Results and Implementation, under Sub-section (1) implies that the National Government and the Bougainville Government shall consult over the results of the Referendum before the Referendum Results and the Consultation being tabled in the 11th Parliament through sessional order.
For this, the Parliamentary Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville matters have addressed the issue with care under the constitution provision. This consultation is a significant process, and it requires both Bougainvilleans and the people of Papua New Guinean to take it seriously and express their views genuinely before the 11th Parliament. There are two (2) key questions in the current Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee Consultation Meeting on Bougainville Matters.
Points to consider:
Points to consider:
NCOBA to provide an effective and efficient coordination and implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Post – Referendum arrangements Minister's Commitment awareness has been a vital tool. The Agency has taken well conventional to communicate the process of the post consultation processes. The key areas of Awareness NCOBA focused are; Leveraging Social Media Platforms, Timeline and Milestones and Post Courier and The National. To get updated with the NCOBA issues, social media links are provided.
Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Hon. Manasseh Makiba commitments towards Bougainville through community social and economic responsibilities become a vital development tool in the peace process.
A TOTAL of over K3 million in National Government assistance was given to the people of Bougainville through the Ministry of Bougainville Affairs as part of the National Governments ongoing efforts in strengthening relations, maintaining lasting peace, and furthering Bougainville's development agenda.
Apart from other work in the NCOBA, particularly in relation to the ongoing work with the peace process, reaching out to the communities and assisting the Autonomous Bougainville Government in respect to its members and other community's minister's department priority to go out and assist.
The Ministry have attended to more requests that were requested by communities and also the Marape/Rosso Government is determined in ensuring Bougainville's development agenda remains ongoing.
Disaster relief assistance
Sports and youth development projects
Travel support to the National United Church Women's convention in Mt Hagen
Water supply and brickmaking project
Development of crab farming
Bougainville Sports and youth development
The Minister's commitment will continue to maintain the peace process.