Keeping Up with Our Neighbours

PORT MORESBY, 17 October 2025 - As Papua New Guinea marks its 50^th year of independence, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, June Kunugi, has called for renewed leadership and investment in the country’s children to ensure no child is left behind in the next 50 years of progress.

“Papua New Guinea has made important progress over the past five decades, but too many children are still being left behind,” said Ms Kunugi. “The country is falling behind its neighbours across Asia and the Pacific on multiple fronts crucial for child survival, education, and protection. Now is the time for change.”

She reiterated that while government leadership is critical, lasting progress requires strong coordinated action across communities, civil society, key stakeholders, and the private sector.

Concluding her week-long visit to Papua New Guinea, Ms. Kunugi congratulated the country on its Golden Jubilee and commended the Government for establishing the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Children, calling it a key milestone towards renewing national dialogue and placing children at the heart of PNG’s development agenda.

She also acknowledged significant progress in strengthening the country’s immunisation programme, notably through major rehabilitation of the cold chain system in health facilities, increased financing for immunisation and enhanced service delivery capacities. Ms Kunugi also commended the government’s efforts in child protection, particularly its commitment to ending violence against children through the development of a comprehensive national roadmap, that signalled a critical step toward safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of every child in the country.

While acknowledging positive gains, Ms Kunugi highlighted sobering data and trends that continue to threaten the potential of the country’s children:

• Immunization coverage remains alarmingly low, with most provinces reporting only 50–60% coverage among children aged 0–5. No province has achieved full immunization.
• Child malnutrition continues to affect both physical and mental development. Stunting remains a widespread issue, with long-term implications for learning and health.
• Access to quality education remains unequal with low school retention rates. Only 10–15% of children reach tertiary institutions.
• Violence and abuse are becoming normalized. Children exposed to violence — particularly gender-based violence — are more likely to become victims or perpetrators later in life.

“Too many children still miss out on essential services – from routine immunization to safe learning opportunities and protection from violence,” Ms Kunugi said. “I have witnessed immense resilience and eagerness to improve across the country, but communities cannot do it alone. They need strong, sustained government