Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has announced a major expansion of Papua New Guinea’s diplomatic presence across the Pacific, including the establishment of new Embassies in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Republic of Vanuatu, as part of PNG’s growing engagement with Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Speaking during a Press Conference today at APEC Haus in Port Moresby amidst the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit 2026, Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea was stepping up its Regional leadership role as one of the Pacific’s largest economies and landowners. “We will make sure we remain as a bloc, as one family, one people of the South Seas going forward,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
The Prime Minister announced that PNG would establish an Embassy in the Marshall Islands to strengthen ties with Micronesian nations, while a new Mission in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, would support PNG’s engagement with Polynesia. PNG will also open an Embassy in Vanuatu to complete its diplomatic presence across all Melanesian countries. “Marshall Islands will host our Mission for Micronesia. Tonga will host our Mission for Polynesia. Vanuatu completes our Melanesian presence,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Marape said the move reflected PNG’s commitment to deeper Pacific solidarity and shared economic growth, particularly through cooperation in fisheries, marine resource development, and ocean sustainability. He said PNG was already working closely with smaller Pacific island nations to help develop sustainable fisheries industries and processing opportunities. “We want to make sure our Fish resources of the Pacific are properly harvested in a sustainable manner and value-added properly, with more return passed back to our Pacific Island fish owners,
including ourselves and the nations of the Pacific,” Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister also highlighted PNG’s willingness to partner with smaller island nations facing land and infrastructure constraints by supporting Fisheries processing and investment opportunities within Papua New Guinea.
He noted that the Government’s broader “East New Green Initiative” was being developed in partnership with Pacific neighbours and would contribute to long-term Regional economic resilience and sustainability. “As a nation that is bigger in terms of population, land size, and economy outside of Australia and New Zealand, PNG must continue to strengthen its presence and partnership in the Pacific,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister thanked Pacific Leaders attending the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit for their support and commitment to Regional cooperation. “This is about growing together as Pacific people, side by side into the future,” he said.