Australia - Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum - Joint Communique

PRESS RELEASE

The 24th Papua New Guinea - Australia Ministerial Forum held at the Parliament House in Canberra this week reflected maturity in the relations and partnership of both Australia and PNG.

Among a range of topics discussed, the ministers agreed on the importance of Papua New Guinea executing its tuberculosis control plan, ensuring it is funded adequately in future years.

The ministers welcomed Australia and Papua New Guinea's collaboration to redevelop the Lae ANGAU Memorial Hospital and agreed to explore options for staged funding, consistent with the existing mutual commitment to co-funding of the project.

They acknowledged the importance of promoting gender equality and greater economic opportunities for women. Also noted was the importance of continuing to improve the physical and economic security of women, and increasing opportunities for women to take up leadership positions.

Both ministers noted the recent El Nino and prolonged drought that affected various parts of Papua New Guinea and the assistance provided by the Australian Government to the people at the provincial and ward levels. They further noted the request by Papua New Guinea to build capacity of the Papua New Guinea National Disaster and Emergency Services Office (NDESO) to effectively manage drought and natural disasters.

They welcomed the progress being made by Papua New Guinea in its preparations for hosting APEC 2018, and the ongoing discussions between Papua New Guinea and Australia concerning support by Australia on policy, security and logistics.

Others areas discussed included combating People Smuggling and the Regional Resettlement Arrangement as well as Regional and Global Issues

The forum co-chaired by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Rimbink Pato, PNG’s Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister.