PNG–Australia relations strengthened at landmark forum, says Marape
Prime Minister James Marape addressed the 31st Papua New Guinea–Australia Ministerial Forum, held in Canberra on October 20, as a defining moment in the enduring relationship between the two countries, elevating cooperation across defense, education, labor mobility, disaster resilience, and people-to-people ties.
“In my view, this was one of the most successful PNG–Australia Ministerial Forums since I began attending these meetings in 2008,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Forum was the first since the signing of the historic Pukpuk Treaty, the PNG-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, signed by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and James Marape earlier this month.
Both sides are committed to translating the Treaty into practical cooperation, including a new recruitment pathway enabling Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force from January 1, 2026.
“This alliance reflects mutual trust and respect,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Papua New Guinea and Australia are partners walking side by side, as equals, to secure peace, prosperity, and stability in our region.”
The two governments also agreed to accelerate investments in the modernisation of the PNG Defence Force, including training, infrastructure, and joint operations planning to improve interoperability and resilience across the Pacific.
Education remained a central focus of the Forum, with Australia announcing a A$150 million education and skills package targeting foundational schooling, girls’ retention, secondary education, and TVET.
Prime Minister Marape welcomed the initiative as a direct investment in PNG’s future.
A further A$25 million package will strengthen PNG’s disaster response capability through the construction of strategic warehouses, enhanced coordination between the PNG National Disaster Centre and Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA], and scoping of a national command-and-control facility in Port Moresby.
“Our people are at the frontline of climate change and natural disasters, but this partnership will save lives and help our country respond faster and more effectively when crises strike.” He added.
The Forum also reinforced the importance of economic cooperation. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening two-way trade and investment under the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership [CSEP], as well as continuing joint support for SMEs and local enterprise growth.
The Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership [2023] and Mutual Defence Treaty [2025] form the twin pillars of the alliance, spanning security, economic resilience, and people-to-people cooperation.
The next Ministerial Forum will be held in Port Moresby in 2026, where progress on
agreed outcomes will be reviewed.