The 29th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Meeting took place in Canberra, Australia on On February 17, 2023. Penny Wong, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, and the Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea, jointly presided over the Forum.
The following Australian ministers took part in the event: Senator the Don Farrell, Minister for Trade, Tourism, Special Minister of State; Senator Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy; and Senator Murray Watt, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Minister for Emergency Management.
The following Papua New Guinea ministers took part in the meeting: the Hon. John Rosso MP, who is also the country’s deputy prime minister, minister of immigration and labor, and minister of land, physical planning, and urbanization; the Hon. Ian Ling Stuckey MP, minister of the Treasury; the Hon. Rainbo Paita MP, minister of finance and planning; the Hon. William Duma MP, minister of state enterprises; the Hon. Dr. Lino Tom MP, minister of
It was the first Ministerial Conference after the 2022 elections in both nations. Due to border constraints brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic, it was also the first live Forum held since 2019. On September 2, 2021, the final Ministerial Forum was virtually held.
The Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP), which will direct the contemporary collaboration between PNG and Australia, received a new pledge from ministers. They agreed to carry forward the pledges and outcomes from the 2023 Annual Leaders Dialogue by engaging in coordinated, deeper sectoral engagement under the direction of Ministers from both sides.
Ministers made a commitment to ensuring that this unique partnership of equal and sovereign neighbors develops to reflect modern opportunities and challenges in light of the rich historical and familial ties that have binded the nations together.
The ministers committed to accelerating the two economies’ integration, including through the Australia-PNG Economic Partnership. The need for more training and skilled labor under the new Australian Pacific Engagement Visa was cited as being crucial for Papua New Guineans to have more options to enter the Australian labor market.
They noted that quick and effective visa issuance procedures would support labor, business, and wider people-to-people ties and each made a separate announcement of a number of measures they would take to enhance their individual systems. Aiming to complete at least 75% of completed visitor visa applications within 14 days was agreed upon by the ministers. The opening of in-country visa processing in Papua New Guinea was approved by ministers. All ministers agreed to form a joint ministerial working group to oversee this work.
Ministers urged the two business communities to think about how to invest in the numerous opportunities, including special economic zones offered by PNG, including downstream processing of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, as well as the green economy and in agriculture. This was done in recognition of the significant role that business and industry play in the relationship and the significance of Australia’s AUD24.8 billion investment in PNG.
As stated in the CSEP, they agreed to examine the recommendations and put into practice the conclusions reached after conducting a bilateral trade assessment, paying particular attention to how to support PNG’s biosecurity measures so that it can take advantage of export opportunities, including those in Australia. The two business communities, as represented by their respective Business Councils, were also warmly welcomed for their insightful comments.
According to the timeframe established by Prime Ministers at Annual Leaders Dialogue held in January 2023, ministers commended the progress made in the discussion of the scope, purpose, and structure of a comprehensive bilateral security treaty. They acknowledged that for a treaty to take effect, domestic legal and constitutional considerations must be taken into account. They highlight the significance Australia attached to helping PNG handle its internal security, law, and justice concerns.
The ministers decided to form a joint ministerial working group to oversee deeper cooperation in these areas. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a Pacific-family first strategy for regional security needs as they work together to implement 2050 Strategy for Blue Pacific and noted 2 countries’ commitment to supporting regional peace, security, economic resilience, and Pacific unity as the two most populous members of the Pacific family.
PNG applauded Australia’s redoubled efforts to combat climate change, and Ministers agreed that by teaming up with the Pacific to co-host the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP31) in 2026, Australia and the Pacific could work together to achieve ambitious climate change goals and elevate the voices of the Pacific in global climate negotiations. Ministers praised PNG’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offset Program and acknowledged PNG’s desire to secure a larger portion of international climate money (IPCOS). The IPCOS Joint Action Plan will be signed by ministers as soon as practicable this year.
As a tool to advance the priorities of the Prime Minister and Ministers, the Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the first annual CSEP Action Plan in 2022 and looked forward to developments under the 2023 CSEP Action Plan. These are key points from ministerial talks and decisions related to the six CSEP pillars.
