**** Speech by Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea At the Opening Ceremony of the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby, 4 July 2015 ****

The people of Papua New Guinea welcome to our nation, and our capital city, visitors from our 24 Games nations.

We also welcome Your Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to once again open the Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

I know that these Games will be the best ever and many new records will be set.

The sporting facilities that we have built for these games are world-class, and they will continue to benefit our region for generations to come.

They are also a demonstration of the change that is taking place, and the new standards that are being set in the Pacific.

Today we are living in the Asia-Pacific Century - with global economic growth and development centred on our part of the world.

This is a great time to live in the Pacific – we have a great future ahead of us.

The Pacific Games brings together over 3,000 athletes participating in 28 team and individual sports.

But the Pacific Games is about more than a sports competition.

It is all about people – about the athletes, about the coaches, the officials and millions of supporters all around the world watching these Games.

The Games bring our vast region together and builds strong bonds between people, between teams and nations.

On behalf of Papua New Guinea and its citizens, thank you to the Games Organising Committee and the very strong sponsors of these games.

But more importantly, let me thank the thousands of volunteers, thousands of workers and officials who have worked very hard over the past three years to make this Games a success. 

Please enjoy the Games and please make many great memories out of it.

I hope all visitors experience the warmth of the welcome my fellow citizens will extend to each of you.

Good luck to the athletes from every country – please make us all proud.

May God be with you.

Thank you very much.