papua new guinea

The encounter was prior to the Special Leaders' Retreat where Minister Tkatchenko offered PNG's support to New Zealand following the extreme disaster caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We will send our PNGDF to support New Zealand with clean up exercises, if required,” said Minister Tkatchenko.

Sepuloni acknowledged PNG's offer of support and said; “New Zealand is used to offering support to other Pacific Island countries in times of need and to receive that in return is indeed overwhelming.”

He says under Prime Minister Rabuka, Fiji has afformed the reopening of this office.

“We indicated, offering land and assistance towards building their permanent office here in PNG,” said PM Marape.

He added, “There was a request made for reciprocal give of land, and Prime Minister Rabuka did indicate looking for a land in Suva for a mission to be established there.”

“Those reciprocal commitments were made.”

PM Marape says by mid-year, a Fijians ambassador or high commissioner will take up post in Port Moresby.

As he acknowledged the warm hospitality, PM Marape assured PM Rabuka that he had Papua New Guinean’s support both as Prime Minister and current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.

“Much of the Pacific’s future is in the hands of both PNG and Fiji,” said PM Marape as he reflected on the relationship between both countries forged by their great leaders Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, which both countries enjoy today.

Both great leaders were honoured in a friendly Golf match, the “Ratu Mara-Somare” Cup.

Key points:

• PNG's prime minister announced the release of a female hostage
• An Australian is still being held in remote bushland along with two other locals
• The kidnappers are demanding a ransom for their release

PNG's Prime Minister James Marape has announced the release of the woman, while calling for the criminals to set free the remaining hostages.

Prime Minister James Marape made this announcement on Sunday, Feb 19, 2023 and said FEED is the process for conceptual development of projects in processing such as Papua LNG.

“The two major resource projects of Papua LNG and Wafi-Golpu have not been progressed substantially for more than 20 years with their known resources, but we are now making big strides to get the projects developed,” he said.

He stated this during a bilateral meeting with Australian counterpart Trade Minister, Don Farrell in Australia at the margins of the PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum recently. 

The 29th PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum was convened on the back of the historic visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to PNG. 

Prime Minister James Marape said the Government has been holding talks with ExxonMobil, Total Energies and Santos, together with Mineral Resources Development Authority and State-owned company KPHL, to look into the immediate import of fuel and a long-term solution in the construction of a locally-based refinery for downstream processing to secure the domestic market.

The OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 champions came up against an unknown quantity in Panama from the CONCACAF federation. The PNG players spoken to in the build up to the game admitted that they only had online footage to work with but expected the Panamanians to be fast on the attack.

Auckland turned on a stunning evening to greet the teams as they walked on to North Harbour Stadium. The weather had disrupted both teams’ preparations for the game but it didn’t seem to affect Panama as they dominated possession early.

He will meet Fiji President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, during his visit, PM Marape will also meet with Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair Henry Puna ahead of the PIF Special Leaders’ Retreat, which has been called by Fiji PM and PIF Chair Rabuka, a milestone event in regionalism.

PM Marape will return to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, for another commitment.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko will represent PNG at the Retreat and present the Country statement.

He said during the discussions this week in Canberra that Australia security counterparts have vowed to improve security situation in PNG. 

“It important that we advance the interests of PNG while at the same time contributing to sub-regional security, as such providing support to Australia and our other partners in the Pacific.

“From this Bilateral Security Treaty PNG is seeking training to be provided for our police personnel to improve skills and to enhance transparency in police operations.