Pacific leaders gather to celebrate 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence

Papua New Guinea's prime minister James Marape speaks during a flag-raising ceremony marking the country's 50th independence anniversary Photograph: Andrew Kutan/AFP/Getty Images

Pacific leaders have gathered in Port Moresby to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence from Australia, as prime minster James Marape reflected on the moment and voiced his optimism for the future despite the country’s challenges.

Papua New Guinea was administered by Australia as a single territory from 1945. The territory included the former British protectorate of Papua and the former German colony of New Guinea. In 1975, Papua New Guinea was granted independence.