Monday 16 January 2023
The fourth PNG – Australia Annual Leaders Dialogue held at APEC Haus, Port Moresby, on Thursday 12 January 2023. The Australian Delegation led by Prime Minister, Hon. Anthony Albanese is seated on the right side of the Board Room, while PNG Delegation led by Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape is seated on the left.
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Australian Prime Minister Hon. Anthony Albanese, reaffirmed the vital partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia as they concluded the fourth PNG – Australia Annual Leaders Dialogue in Port Moresby on Thursday 12 January 2023.
Following elections in both countries in 2022, both 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.
Both Leaders recognized 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, both leaders travelled 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 looked forward to reviewing progress at their next Annual Leaders’ Dialogue, to be hosted in Australia.