Papua New Guinea now has full diplomatic representation in Geneva following the official opening of the Permanent Mission of Papua New Guinea to the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO) and Other International Organization in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday 8 May 2025, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable. Justin Tkatchenko, CBE, BEM, OL, MP.
The opening of the Mission comes at a milestone year for the country as it prepares to commemorate its 50th Independence Anniversary. This momentous occasion was witnessed by diplomats from the Commonwealth Delegation, Pacific Islands and other Small Island States, Papua New Guinea’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Fred Sarufa, and senior officials from the Ministry and Department of Foreign Affairs.
In his opening remarks, Minister Tkatchenko acknowledged and thanked the Government of Switzerland for its support on the establishment of the Mission and its operations in the next few years. The Minister also recognized the support extended by the United Nations and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
He outlined that the opening of this Mission in Geneva illustrates the Government’s firm commitment to establish Missions in selected strategic locations to promote and secure PNG’s interests with different countries and organizations.
“The opening of the PNG Mission in Geneva heralds a new era in our diplomatic engagement with the United Nations and the other international organizations in Geneva as well as a renewed and more focused impetus in our bilateral relations with Switzerland that was established in 1 976,” Minister Tkatchenko said.
He further stated that the presence of the Mission in Geneva would enhance the country’s engagement with the United Nations, especially its current interface in key issues including human rights, health, and intellectual property matters.
“Geneva also hosts the World Trade Organization (WTO), an extremely important organization to PNG as a trading nation and member of WTO and the new Mission will ensure PNG has a stronger voice and continues to actively participate on global trade discussions and supports the rules based multilateral trading system under the WTO, “the Minister added.
The Minister noted that PNG was the latest of a number of Pacific Island countries based in Geneva and expressed PNG’s readiness to work in close collaboration with our Pacific Missions to promote not only our national interests but also make sure the Pacific’s voice as well as that of the Small Island States was amplified in Geneva to secure our region’s priorities.
“We also believe that the Mission in Geneva will enhance coordination among bilateral and multilateral partners, who are dedicated to the development of Papua New Guinea,” Minister Tkatchenko said.
The Minister reiterated that he is confident with the opening of the Mission as a way forward for increased people-to-people ties; regular exchanges amongst our businesses to explore opportunities as well as increased cooperation in areas such as technology and innovation; education and training; research development and downstream processing.
