Prime Minister James Marape and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held the fourth Papua New Guinea-Australia Annual Leaders’ Dialogue on 12 January 2023 in Port Moresby

Following elections in both countries in 2022, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed the vital partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia and their shared interests in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and an environment conducive to our mutual economic prosperity. 

They underlined the two governments’ continued commitment to the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP) and agreed the importance of continued close cooperation and dialogue.

The Prime Ministers recognised the deep cultural and historical bonds between Papua New Guinea and Australia as special sovereign partners, as they looked towards the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence in 2025. In recognition of the contribution to bilateral ties made by past leaders on both sides, leaders looked forward to travelling together to Wewak, the home of Papua New Guinea’s first Prime Minister, Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. In the 81st anniversary year of the Kokoda campaign, they reflected on the friendship and kinship that was formed between Papua New Guineans and Australians during World War II, which has continued ever since.

The Prime Ministers reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to democracy. Prime Minister Marape thanked Prime Minister Albanese for Australia’s support to Papua New Guinea’s delivery of its 2022 National Election. The leaders welcomed the establishment of Papua New Guinea’s Parliamentary Election Committee to review the Election and make recommendations to enhance delivery of free, fair and safe elections in the future in Papua New Guinea. They welcomed Australia’s commitment to support the Papua New Guinea Government’s implementation of recommendations made by the Committee.

The Prime Ministers recognized the critical importance of gender equality to sustainable development outcomes. Leaders welcomed the recent election of two women to the Papua New Guinea National Parliament but agreed there was a need to accelerate progress, especially in the areas of increasing women’s leadership, expanding women’s economic empowerment and combatting gender-based violence as priorities. Prime Minister Albanese announced Australia would continue to support gender equality and women’s empowerment efforts in Papua New Guinea with a new five-year investment, PNG Women Lead, to support the expansion of women’s leadership in PNG and combat gender-based violence

The Prime Ministers agreed a joint statement of commitment for a Bilateral Security Treaty between Papua New Guinea and Australia, and looked forward to the early conclusion of negotiations, guided by respective Ministers for Foreign Affairs. They noted the Treaty would be a natural progression in the existing security partnership, reflecting the two countries’ shared history, geographic proximity, and common regional strategic outlook, and would fulfill a commitment made in the CSEP

In this context, the leaders recognized the importance of effective law and order and a strong justice and police system in underpinning Papua New Guinea’s security and economic development and undertook to intensify cooperation in these areas, including addressing PNG’s priority needs. They noted the value of the current policing partnership, and the significance of working together in supporting policing operations in the Pacific region.

The Prime Ministers undertook to continue working together on shared opportunities and challenges facing the Pacific family. They reaffirmed the critical role of the Pacific Islands Forum in supporting a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific, and reflected on the importance of the landmark 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in guiding the regional agenda. They committed to strengthen the unity of the Pacific Islands Forum and to support the Review of the Regional Architecture.

The Prime Ministers discussed Australia’s financial assistance to support Papua New Guinea’s priorities around budget repair and fiscal sustainability following the pandemic. Prime Minister Marape welcomed Australia’s budget support loan to help Papua New Guinea return its budget to a sustainable path. Leaders noted the loan was provided in support of Papua New Guinea undertaking an IMF program in 2023.

Both leaders welcomed the significant achievements under Australia and Papua New Guinea’s infrastructure investments, including the recent redevelopment of ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital in Lae. The leaders also welcomed Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) support to major capital projects in ports, roads and electrification across Papua New Guinea that would improve the competitiveness of Papua New Guinea’s goods and services and increase the ability of Papua New Guinean businesses to export

The Prime Ministers underlined their shared objective of boosting business ties, trade and investment, and welcomed the increase in Australian private sector investment in Papua New Guinea, which had reached close to $25 billion. They welcomed a joint feasibility study to examine potential new trade arrangements, which would report to the two governments in the near future.