Michael Somare
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Michael Somare participated in the World Leaders Forum Head of State Week in September 2006.

Overview

Founding, three-time, and current Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea; knighted by Pope John Paul II and the Queen of England; world leader.

Date of Birth: 09 April 1936
Place of Birth: Rabaul, East New Britain Province
Marital Status: Married with five children and 8 grandchildren
Elected Office: Regional Member of Parliament for East Sepik Province.

Summary Achievements

1957–1967: Broadcasting Officer & Teacher
1968: Elected to House of Assembly
1975–1981: First Prime Minister of PNG
1981–1982: Leader of the Opposition
1982–1985: Re-elected Prime Minister of PNG
1985–1987: Leader of the Opposition
1987–1996: Continual election to Parliament and continued to hold senior public offices
1996: Formed National Alliance
1999–2001: Minister for Mining & Bougainville Affairs
2001–2002: Leader of the Opposition
2002–Current: Prime Minister of PNG

Honors and Awards

1977: Appointed a Privy Councilor by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1978: Made a Companion of Honours (CH)
1991: Made Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG)
1992: Pontifical Knighthood by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, Knight of the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great (GCEG)
1994: Made Knight of Justice, Order of Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (KSt.J)
2005: Made Grand Chief, Grand Companion in the Order of Logohu (GCL)

Honorary Awards

1976: Conferred Doctorate of Humanities (Honoris Causa) University of the Philippines, Leiciana, Philippines
1978: Conferred Doctorate of Laws (LLD) (Honoris Causa) Australian National University, Canberra, NCT, Australia
1978: Conferred Doctorate of South Pacific (Honoris Causa), University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
1983: Conferred Doctorate of Technology (Honoris Causa) University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea
1985: Conferred Doctorate of Laws (LLD) (Honoris Causa) University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
1991: Conferred, Doctorate of Letters (Honoris Causa) University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Participated In