PM Marape launches landmark civil and identity registry reforms

Prime Minister James Marape has officially launched three major policy initiatives for the Civil and Identity Registry, marking a historic shift in how Papua New Guinea manages population data and national identity.

At the center of these reforms is the Civil and Identity Registration Act 2024, a transformative piece of legislation that replaces the outdated Civil and Registry Act of 1963.

While the previous Act was amended in 2014 to introduce biometric data collection, it has since fallen short of supporting a modern, integrated identity system.

Speaking at the launch, Acting Registrar General Salome Bogosia described the moment as the beginning of a new digital era for the country, saying the initiative will ensure every citizen is counted.

Prime Minister Marape emphasized the importance of accurate and comprehensive population data.

Marape said having a reliable and effective source of identity is crucial to fully implementing the government’s development agenda.

Minister for Administrative Services Richard Masere, in sharing similar sentiments to the Prime Minister, said that the success of the new Act will require collaboration across government agencies and support from development partners.

Masere said this law is not just about registration, it marks a major shift for PNG into a digital and information age.

He said with the right technology, the PNG civil registration process will become faster, more secure, and far more efficient.