The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, James Tanis, says political instability is the region's biggest threat.
Speaking during a joint supervisory body meeting with the National Government in Port Moresby, Mr Tanis says any progress would depend on the relationship the ABG had with Port Moresby and other leaders.
The National newspaper reports his views were shared by North Bougainville MP and Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Michael Ogio, who warned the ugly face of "disunity" had already shown itself among the region's political leaders.
Mr Ogio says he people have suffered long enough and should not suffer further because of our differences.
He says if animosity among the region's leaders continued, any effort to restore peace and rebuild the region's fledgling economy would be destroyed.
The Bougainville regional MP and parliamentary secretary for Autonomy and the Autonomous Region, Fidelis Semoso, says the people are looking to leaders to do things which make a real difference in their lives.
