During Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) 50th Independence Anniversary Jubilee celebration in Port Moresby, Nations Capital District (NCD) governor Powes Parkop, rallied citizens to reflect on the nation’s journey of unity built from its vast cultural diversity. Speaking at the Festival of a Thousand Tribes at Murray Barracks on Tuesday September 16, Parkop described PNG as a nation of 1, 000 tribes and over 20, 000 cultural expressions, yet bound together by fifty years of Independence. “This is who we are, what we are, and where we came from. Unity is the foundation of PNG’s progress.” He underlined that despite differences in language, traditions, and customs, independence has enabled the people to come together as “one nation, one people, one country.” Meanwhile, Governor Parkop urged citizens not to take unity for granted but to embrace the milestone as a reminder of their shared destiny. He added that cultural displays of song, dance, and traditional attire showcased the living spirit of PNG’s diversity. “Fifty years we have walked as one people.” “We celebrate our tribes, but we also celebrate being Papua New Guineans.”