The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Papua New Guinea on the occasion of the second United States - Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Port Moresby.
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United States Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre and Independent State of Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso met in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the second U.S.-Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue (SPD) on May 7, 2026. The dialogue reflects the commitment of both countries to continually strengthen the bilateral relationship. This iteration of the dialogue focused on improving security cooperation and finding new areas of mutual interest for economic opportunities in pursuit of a more secure and prosperous future for both countries. The dialogue highlighted our shared values, mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, and a recognition of what each nation contributes to the bilateral relationship.
The teams that assembled in Port Moresby this month built upon the Framework for Strategic Cooperation, the foundational document that Prime Minister James Marape and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau signed in September 2025 during celebrations to mark Papua New Guinea's 50th anniversary of independence. The Framework outlined four pillars to guide cooperation between the United States and Papua New Guinea: Defense, Maritime Security, and Law Enforcement Cooperation; Critical Mineral and Infrastructure Cooperation; Economic and Commercial Cooperation; and Digital Economy Cooperation, guiding the bilateral relationship for the next 50 years. The delegations addressed each pillar during the SPD through dialogue and working groups.
While Papua New Guinea already hosts many U.S. companies, the experts discussed ways to increase ties in the technology, critical minerals, energy, and health sectors. Recent developments, such as signing the Global Health Memorandum of Understanding and the U.S. company SpaceX getting a license for its product Starlink, have paved the way for a bright future. During the dialogue, the Assistant Secretary announced the United States, working with Congress, intends to provide $30 million for satellite internet connectivity in Papua New Guinea. This American technology will connect hundreds of remote health facilities, schools and disaster centers, linking Papua New Guineans to educational resources, healthcare services, economic opportunities, and global markets in a way previously unimaginable. Both delegations look forward to additional collaboration as we continue to foster commercial opportunities.
The U.S. delegation included the largest-ever U.S. law enforcement contingent to visit Papua New Guinea, including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Coast Guard, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. PNG fielded a comprehensive inter-agency delegation comprised of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Defense, International Trade & Investment, Information & Communication Technology, Mineral Resource Authority, amongst others.
The United States and Papua New Guinea pledged to continue close cooperation on defense, maritime security, and law enforcement. The newly signed Letter of Agreement on law enforcement cooperation will enable the United States to provide comprehensive support to Papua New Guinea partners to combat money laundering, drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, cybercrime, strengthen criminal justice institutions and bilateral coordination. Maritime security cooperation efforts will fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Papua New Guinea's exclusive economic zone - a crime that affects the entire the Pacific.
Strong cooperation between our countries is underscored by robust people-to-people ties. The United States hosts educational and professional exchange programs to build relationships and share best practices between the citizens of our countries, sending students and young professionals to the United States to learn and grow in their fields. The United States and Papua New Guinea remain dedicated to expanding existing people-to-people ties and exploring new opportunities to share our cultures and heritage with one another.
Assistant Secretary DeSombre and Deputy Prime Minister Rosso committed to tangible actions to strengthen the bilateral relationship and to hold the next Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Washington, D.C., after Papua New Guinea concludes national elections in 2027. They expressed eagerness to build on the momentum generated this week to strengthen a relationship forged through sacrifice during World War II and guided by our shared values for generations to come.
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