<P> Elections in 1972 resulted in the formation of a ministry headed by Chief Minister Michael Somare , who pledged to lead the country to self - government and then to independence . Papua New Guinea became self - governing on 1 December 1973 and achieved independence on 16 September 1975 . The country joined the United Nations ( UN ) on 10 October 1975 by way of Security Council Resolution 375 and General Assembly resolution 3368 . The 1977 national elections confirmed Michael Somare as Prime Minister at the head of a coalition led by the Pangu Party . However , his government lost a vote of confidence in 1980 and was replaced by a new cabinet headed by Sir Julius Chan as prime minister . The 1982 elections increased Pangu 's plurality , and parliament again chose Somare as prime minister . In November 1985 , the Somare government lost another vote of no confidence , and the parliamentary majority elected Paias Wingti , at the head of a five - party coalition , as prime minister . A coalition , headed by Wingti , was victorious in very close elections in July 1987 . In July 1988 , a no - confidence vote toppled Wingti and brought to power Rabbie Namaliu , who a few weeks earlier had replaced Somare as leader of the Pangu Party . </P>
<P> Elections in 1972 resulted in the formation of a ministry headed by Chief Minister Michael Somare , who pledged to lead the country to self - government and then to independence . Papua New Guinea became self - governing on 1 December 1973 and achieved independence on 16 September 1975 . The country joined the United Nations ( UN ) on 10 October 1975 by way of Security Council Resolution 375 and General Assembly resolution 3368 . The 1977 national elections confirmed Michael Somare as Prime Minister at the head of a coalition led by the Pangu Party . However , his government lost a vote of confidence in 1980 and was replaced by a new cabinet headed by Sir Julius Chan as prime minister . The 1982 elections increased Pangu 's plurality , and parliament again chose Somare as prime minister . In November 1985 , the Somare government lost another vote of no confidence , and the parliamentary majority elected Paias Wingti , at the head of a five - party coalition , as prime minister . A coalition , headed by Wingti , was victorious in very close elections in July 1987 . In July 1988 , a no - confidence vote toppled Wingti and brought to power Rabbie Namaliu , who a few weeks earlier had replaced Somare as leader of the Pangu Party . </P>
when did papua new guinea become an independent country
when did papua new guinea become an independent country
16 September 1975
16 September 1975