Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed Australia’s largest-ever ministerial delegation to Papua New Guinea this week, led by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, to strengthen bilateral cooperation at the 32nd Ministerial Forum.
Prime Minister Marape in a statement said the size of the delegation reflected the importance both governments placed on their longstanding relationship and their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across all sectors.
Related news: https://www.pmnec.gov.pg/pm-marape-welcomes-largestever-australian-ministerial-delegation-to-png-reaffirms-historic-partnership/
“I warmly welcome Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and all Australian ministers travelling to Port Moresby for this important annual meeting between our two governments,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“The fact that Australia is sending such a large ministerial delegation to our country speaks volumes about the significance and value both nations place on our relationship.
“I sincerely acknowledge and appreciate these ministers taking time from their busy schedules to come to Papua New Guinea and engage directly with their counterparts.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Forum would bring together ministers responsible for trade, education, defence, labour mobility, migration, foreign affairs, security and other areas of mutual interest to review progress, consolidate existing agreements and establish priorities for future cooperation.
“Our relationship with Australia did not begin yesterday. Even before Independence in 1975, Australia was an important part of our history and development, and it has remained a constant source of support and partnership,” he said.
“As I told the Australian Parliament, Papua New Guinea and Australia are joined at the hips. We are brother and sister nations, bound together by geography, history, shared interests and enduring friendship.
“We were together in the past, we are together today, and we will remain together long into the future.
“Over the past seven years, our Government has worked closely with successive Australian governments to take this relationship to another level, strengthening cooperation across defence, security, trade, investment, education, labour mobility and people-to-people relations.”
Prime Minister Marape said important milestones included the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership signed in 2020, the Bilateral Security Agreement signed in 2023 and the historic Papua New Guinea–Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, signed in October 2025 and which entered into force on 8 July 2026.
“The Pukpuk Treaty has elevated our relationship to a formal defence alliance, built on mutual respect for our sovereignty, independence and shared commitment to regional peace and security,” he said.
“This is a historic achievement that reflects the confidence and trust our two countries have developed over many years.
“But our partnership goes well beyond defence and security. It encompasses economic development, trade, investment, infrastructure, education, health, labour mobility, migration and the many connections between our people.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Ministerial Forum would provide an important opportunity to assess progress on existing commitments and establish the direction of bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
“The work undertaken by our respective ministerial teams sets the foundation upon which we consolidate what has already been agreed, review what has been achieved and set the pace for what we must do going forward,” he said.
“These meetings are not merely ceremonial occasions. They are important working engagements where our ministers must ensure that commitments are translated into practical outcomes that benefit our people.
“We must continue to build on the progress we have made, strengthen economic opportunities, improve services, enhance security and ensure that our partnership delivers lasting benefits for both nations.”
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Government for their continuing commitment to strengthening relations with Papua New Guinea.
“I thank Prime Minister Albanese and his Government for the importance they continue to place on our relationship,” he said.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia are two sovereign nations, but we are also close neighbours, friends and partners whose futures will always be connected.
“Our relationship has stood the test of time. It existed before Independence, has grown stronger over the past 51 years and will continue for generations to come.
Related news: https://www.thepngsun.com/pm-marape-welcomes-australian-deputy-pm-richard-marles-says-png-australia-relations-at-historic-high/
“I once again welcome Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Foreign Minister Wong and the entire Australian ministerial delegation to Port Moresby.
“Your presence demonstrates our shared determination to work more closely together, step by step, towards a future of greater prosperity, peace and security for both our nations.”