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Eco-Health and Culture, PNG and Timor-Leste Strengthen Ties

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The shared Melanesian heritage between Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste took center stage at Government House today. Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae and President Dr. José Ramos-Horta moved beyond standard diplomacy, pivoting the bilateral conversation toward environmental protection, medical cooperation, and a vibrant cultural export, PNG music.

With both nations housing some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, the leaders discussed forming a unified front to protect natural rainforests and ocean biodiversity.

Dr. Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate currently in Port Moresby for the Melanesian Ocean Summit, praised PNG’s role as a global environmental heavyweight.

“We have great respect for Papua New Guinea which along with Brazil and Indonesia, has the largest rainforest biodiversity in the world and it is also home to the largest Melanesian population in the world,” President Ramos-Horta said.

The President also proposed a practical, hands-on partnership to improve public health, suggesting a formal exchange of medical professionals. The goal is to share expertise on tropical diseases common to both regions. By collaborating on the elimination and control of Malaria and Rabies, the President believes both nations can fortify their healthcare systems through shared learning.

Highlighting PNG’s local music talent, President Ramos-Horta revealed that PNG’s cultural influence extends far across the sea. He stated that PNG musicians have a massive, dedicated following in Timor-Leste and expressed a desire to transform this popularity into a formal cultural exchange.

“I want to invite PNG musicians to Timor-Leste. We have quite a big following of PNG music fans in Timor-Leste,” President Ramos-Horta said.

The President also shared a personal wish to return to Papua New Guinea to visit the Highlands region, showing an interest in the PNG’s diverse cultural landscape.

Turning to geopolitics, the President addressed Timor-Leste’s 2025 entry into ASEAN, thanking PNG for its steadfast support of their membership bid. He affirmed that the two nations would continue to back one another in international forums as they navigate the mutual challenges of infrastructure development and human resource capacity.

“I want to assure you of my country’s support to PNG in international and regional forums,” Dr. Ramos-Horta said.

This important visit signifies a growing partnership between two “guardians” of the region’s natural wealth, concluding with a mutual shared vision for a healthier, greener, and more culturally connected Pacific.

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International

Marape Clears Statement

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West Papua

Prime Minister, James Marape says he wants to set the record straight on his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo regarding the West Papua Issue.

Marape claims an earlier statement regarding PNG’s position to abstain from supporting West Papua United Liberation Movement (WPULM) for a full fleged membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was released without consent.

In an effort to rectify the misinformation and alleviate concerns raised within the MSG, Marape released another statement to address the inaccuracies.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape

“An earlier statement released without consent wrongfully said that at the recently-concluded MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila, Vanuatu, I informed leaders of PNG’s abstaining from supporting the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) bid for full membership, plus a notation that human rights issues in West Papua are of no concern to PNG. I wish to clarify these misconstrued assertions.” said Marape.

Marape corrects that, “Papua New Guinea never abstained from West Papua matters at the MSG meeting, but rather, offered solutions that affirmed,” said Marape.

Marape made these comments during the bilateral meeting with President Widodo in Jakarta and stressed the respect PNG government has towards Indonesia’s sovereignty, territorial rights but Human Rights is a different issue.

“When matters concerning ULMWP’s application for membership was raised, I indicated that the presence of Indonesia on MSG as an Associate Member and ULMWP as observer is sufficient for the moment. MSG has placed a moratorium on new membership until the criteria for membership is reviewed,” Marape said

Marape said President Widodo has assured him that all is okay in the two Papuan provinces and invited senior government members to visit it’s Papua Province..”

West Papua
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PNG’s Stand on WPULM’s Bid

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PNG Prime Minister James Marape, said PNG had abstained from supporting the West Papua United Liberation Movement (WPULM) full membership bid to join the MSG during the recently concluded Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leader’s Meeting in Vanuatu last month.

Marape made these comments in Jakarta yesterday, during his meeting with Indonesian President, Joko Widodo as a reciprocal visit by the Indonesian President to PNG in July.

Marape said West Papua ULM does not meet the requirements of a fully-fledged sovereign nation and Indonesia’s associate membership status also as a Melanesian country to the MSG suffices which cancels out West Papua ULM’s bid.

Marape went on to say the alleged human rights issues in West Papua the PNG Government had no moral grounds to comment on human rights issues outside of its own jurisdictions.

In response President Widodo said PNG Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, will be invited to visit Papua Province to see what development is taking place in that region of Indonesia.

Widodo spoke of Indonesia’s commitment to building trustful and cooperative relations with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and extended an invitation to Pacific Island Countries Leaders to attend the Archipelago Island States Forum this October.

Other discussions between the two leaders include;

  • Ratification and implementation of visa on arrival agreement for diplomatic and service passport holders, and agree that this be also extended to ordinary/private passport holders.
  • The establishment of travel routes of the direct air services/flight between Denpasar in Bali and Jacksons International airport in Port Moresby.
  • The opportunity for downstream processing gold from copper is immense which both leaders agreed to explore.
  • Increase number of Papua New Guinean students to study in Indonesia.

Prime Minister Marape is expected to fly off to France after his visit in Indonesia.

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HON. TKATCHENKO ON
OFFICIAL TRIP TO CHINA

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Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Events Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP
will make an Official Visit to China upon the invitation of the Government of
The People’s Republic of China.

Addressing the media today before his departure, Minister Tkatchenko said he
will be meeting with recently appointed Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang
and will also attend the 2023 Annual Conference of The Boao Forum for Asia.
Minister Tkatchenko said his Chinese counterpart was previously the chief of
protocol for the President of China and had already visited Papua New Guinea
on more than one occasion.
“He is now the foreign minister and I look forward in working with him for our
relationship between China and Papua New Guinea.”
“We will be discussing our bilateral relationship, working relationship going
forward.”
“We will be discussing our economic importance between Papua New Guinea
and China.”
“China being one of our biggest trading partners to Papua New Guinea and also
people to people arrangements, infrastructure, education, health and
development, we will be holding discussions in these areas too.”

“I only go on these tours when I know there’s going to be good outcomes for
the people of Papua New Guinea and for our country.”
“When it comes to deference, security, health, education, investment and trade,
these things must come forward for the benefit of our people.”
This official trip will also cover a visit to Shenzhen City which currently has a
sister city arrangement with Port Moresby and the National Capital District.
“We will be renewing our sister-city relationship with our capital city and with
Shenzhen.”
“We will also be going to Guangdong, looking at their facilities there in
education, environment and their zoo and doing some conservation work with
them.
“A very productive six day trip to China covering many aspects but also to see
and introduce ourselves to Mr. Qin, the new Foreign Minister who has already
been to Papua New Guinea.”

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