Australia and Papua New Guinea are meeting in Port Moresby to advance defence, security and economic cooperation under a new alliance that marks a major shift in their bilateral relationship.
The Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum, being held on Tuesday, is the first since the Pukpuk Treaty entered into force in July, establishing Papua New Guinea’s first alliance with another country and Australia’s first new alliance in more than 70 years.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the forum would focus on turning the treaty into practical outcomes for both countries.
“The Pukpuk Treaty reflects the next phase of a relationship built over generations and demonstrates our shared commitment to strengthening security cooperation between our two nations,” Marles said.
He said both governments were investing in their people, infrastructure and institutions to support regional stability and long-term prosperity.
The meeting will focus on strengthening defence and security ties, as well as cooperation on telecommunications and critical infrastructure.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the alliance reflected the importance Canberra placed on its relationship with Papua New Guinea amid growing regional strategic competition.
“In a more contested region, strong relationships matter more than ever.
“Australia is committed to the sustained engagement and trust that underpin our partnership with Papua New Guinea,” Wong said.
Wong said she looked forward to meeting Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and other ministers to identify practical outcomes from the alliance.
The Australian delegation includes ministers responsible for employment, the environment, communications, defence industry, Pacific affairs, emergency management and regional development, reflecting the broad scope of cooperation under discussion.
The ministerial forum is being held alongside the annual Papua New Guinea-Australia Business Dialogue, which brings together government and business representatives to explore opportunities to increase trade and investment, create jobs and strengthen economic resilience.
Marles said continued engagement between the two countries was important to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
Following the forum, Marles will travel to Timor-Leste on 21 October to advance defence cooperation under the new partnership established by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão earlier this year.
It will be Marles’ second visit to Timor-Leste since the launch of the Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (New Partnership for a New Era).
