SYDNEY, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) held celebrations for the nation's 43rd independence day on Sunday, with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill using the opportunity to urge citizens to take the country's future upon themselves.
"The only people who can deliver a stronger Papua New Guinea are Papua New Guineans ourselves," O'Neill said.
"As a country we have many friends who are helping us to advance, and we value this support, but we must do things for ourselves and chart our own course."
The prime minister said that it was not just oil and gas resources that could work to PNG's benefit, but also its many desirable tourist destinations, as well as vast agricultural possibilities which he believes could draw interest from overseas.
To invest in these areas, O'Neill said, would buffer PNG against potential future challenges like climate change and economic instability.
"We must better adapt to the evolving global economy, so that we not only insulate ourselves from economic shocks, but take advantage of economic opportunity for our people," he said.
"We need to have confidence in our potential, we have to make firm decisions on our future and we have to stand by those decisions all the way."
