Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The occasion underscored the enduring cultural, historical, and geographical ties that bind the two nations.

The dialogue reaffirmed the commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership, emphasising shared values and mutual cooperation in various domains, including security, climate change, and infrastructure development.

The meeting between the two leaders marks a significant milestone in the ongoing diplomatic relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea, aiming to bolster cooperation across a spectrum of key areas.

Security cooperation takes centre stage as both nations seek to enhance their collaborative efforts in addressing regional security challenges and ensuring stability in the Pacific region.

PM Albanese was welcomed by Late Sir Michael’s family including his grandchildren. A traditional cleansing ceremony was conducted by the Chiefs of Kreer Village who are traditional landowners in Wewak. A coconut was split in two and its juice poured over the ground on which the visitors also planted a coconut to signify his visit and then signed the Visitors' Book.

Albanese made this assurance when addressing Parliament last Thursday in Port Moresby.

Albanese said whether it is rugby league, or cricket with the Barras and the Lewas, or the work being done here by the AFL, sport is a genuine and powerful way of building strong and lasting ties between our peoples, at a code and club and community and family level.

He will be in the country for a two-day official visit from January 12-13th to attend the Annual Leaders' Dialogue with counterpart Prime Minister Marape in Port Moresby.

Following the Dialogue, the Prime Ministers will travel together to Wewak to visit the resting place of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

“We look forward to the visit of Australian Prime Minister Albanese to PNG,” Prime Minister Marape said.

But what they said will be felt across the playing field of the NRL, and regional geopolitics.

At a picture opportunity for media ahead of a bilateral meeting, Mr Marape stated to Mr Albanese — as part of the pleasantries provided for the cameras — that rugby league was part of PNG's national character.

"If there’s something good that Australia has left as far as a lasting imprint in Papua New Guinea, rugby league is one of them," he said.

But Mr Albanese went beyond mere courtesy in reply.

“I want to congratulate the Honorable Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia and his Labor Party for their election win declared last Saturday evening. I look forward to an early opportunity to meet and have conversation on the most-important bilateral relationship in the region: our Papua New Guinea-Australia relationship.”