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‘Diplomatic doyen’ Charles Lepani dies at 77

OBITUARY
| Exepreneur Magazine

Sir Charles Lepani
Sir Charles Lepani - the last of 'The Gang of Four', who significantly influenced PNG's governance before its independence


PORT MORESBY - Sir Charles Watson Lepani, KBE CBE OBE, born on 28 October 1947 in the Trobriand Islands of Papua New Guinea, was a prominent public servant and diplomat whose career spanned several decades.

He passed away on 10 January 2025 after a battle with stage four cancer, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the development and growth of PNG.

Charles Lepani was born into a family with a rich political background. His father, Lepani Kaiuwekalu Watson, was a significant figure in local governance and became the premier of Milne Bay Province in 1983.

Lepani's early education took place in Queensland, Australia, where he attended high school before enrolling at the newly established University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in 1967.

Graduating with a degree in economics, he began his career as an industrial advocate with PNG's Public Service Association.

His commitment to labour rights led him to head the Bureau of Industrial Organisations, established in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation.

In 1975, shortly after PNG gained independence from Australia, Lepani was appointed by prime minister Michael Somare as the head of the National Planning Office.

He served in this capacity until 1980 and played a crucial role in shaping the country's macroeconomic policy and public sector planning during its formative years.

Sir Charles is known as the last of the Gang of Four whose passing brings to close a remarkable era of leadership.

The Gang of Four comprised four key public servants who significantly influenced the PNG's governance before its independence.

The group included Sir Mekere Morauta and Sir Rabbie Namaliu, both of whom later served as prime ministers and Sir Anthony Siaguru, who had a brief political career before becoming a distinguished diplomat.

Sir Charles Lepani focused on public service and diplomacy without entering politics.

Together, they played crucial roles in shaping PNG's early governance and development strategies during its transition to independence.

Lepani's diplomatic career began when he was appointed ambassador to the European Union in 1991, serving until 1994. His responsibilities extended to several European nations, including Belgium, Greece, and Italy.

After returning to PNG, he took on the role of managing director at the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), where he oversaw significant developments in the mining sector.

In 2005, Lepani was appointed high commissioner to Australia, a position he maintained until 2017. During this time, he became known as the doyen of the diplomatic corps and worked tirelessly to strengthen relations between PNG and Australia

Following his tenure as high commissioner, Lepani took on the role of director-general for APEC Papua New Guinea 2018. In this position, he was responsible for organizing the APEC summit held in Port Moresby in November 2018, showcasing PNG internationally.

In addition to his roles within government and diplomacy, Lepani contributed to various organisations as an advisor and consultant for entities such as the United Nations Development Program and the Asian Development Bank.

In July 2020, he joined Geopacific Resources Ltd., focusing on gold mining projects despite environmental impacts and land rights controversies.

Throughout his career, Sir Charles received numerous accolades for his service. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2017, having previously been honoured with both Commander (CBE) and Officer (OBE) distinctions

After his first marriage ended in divorce, Sir Charles married Katherine Lepani, an American national. The couple had two sons, Nathaniel and Andrew Lepani.

Sir Charles was known for his deep connection to Trobriand heritage and often expressed pride in his Milne Bay roots.

His passing marks the end of an era for many who admired his contributions to PNG's development.

As stated by his family following his death: “Inade kwaumego m’bigo biga Tuma nakapo duwayago,” reflecting his enduring connection to ancestral wisdom and heritage.

Sir Charles Watson Lepani's life was characterised by unwavering service to his country and dedication to fostering growth and development within PNG.

His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.

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