Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has departed Papua New Guinea today for an important Official Visit to France, where he is expected to hold high-level Bilateral Talks with French President His Excellency Emmanuel Macron and senior French Government leaders.
The Visit reciprocates President Macron’s historic State Visit to Papua New Guinea in 2023 and marks a significant milestone as the two Nations celebrate 50 years of Diplomatic Relations. Speaking at a Press Conference today at Melanesian Haus prior to his departure, Prime Minister Marape described France as one of Papua New Guinea’s most important Strategic Partners globally and a major Partner in the Pacific region. “France is an important Bilateral Partner with Papua New Guinea. France is the leading Economy in the European Union and a Resident Power in the Pacific,” Prime Minister Marape said. “This Visit reflects Papua New Guinea’s growing role and strategic relevance not only in the Pacific but globally.”
Prime Minister Marape said discussions with President Macron and French officials would focus on strengthening Cooperation in trade, investment, climate change, renewable energy, maritime security, infrastructure financing, and economic development. The Prime Minister revealed that he would also address a distinguished audience of French Senate and leadership representatives on contemporary Global and Regional issues, including climate change, Pacific security, and Papua New Guinea’s increasing leadership role in the Region. “Papua New Guinea is strategically located between the Pacific and Asia, and our perspectives are increasingly being acknowledged globally,” he stated. “We recently hosted the historic Melanesian Ocean Summit, which brought together Pacific and ASEAN leaders, demonstrating Papua New Guinea’s growing Regional leadership.”
Prime Minister Marape said one of the major priorities of the Visit would be advancing Economic Partnerships between Papua New Guinea and France, including Trade access into Europe for PNG products such as tuna, palm oil, and agricultural exports. “At the heart of all our Bilateral engagements is the Economic Growth of our country,” he said. “We want to grow our Trade relationship with France and the European Union and create greater opportunities for our Exports and Investments.”
The Prime Minister also confirmed that discussions would include Financing Support for the proposed Rabaul Port Redevelopment Project, which France has indicated support for through a Concessional Financing arrangement. “We are looking at securing support for the Rabaul Port Development Program, which will become a strategic Agro-Fisheries and Trade hub for the New Guinea Islands region,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
The Prime Minister further announced that Papua New Guinea and France are expected to progress Cooperation arrangements in Defence and Maritime Security, including the proposed PNG–France Ship Rider Agreement aimed at combating illegal fishing and protecting Pacific maritime resources.
He also highlighted Papua New Guinea’s Climate and Conservation partnership with France, noting the ongoing K120 million Forest, Climate, and Biodiversity program currently operating in PNG. “President Macron and I walked together at Varirata National Park during his visit to Papua New Guinea, symbolising our shared commitment to protecting the environment,” Prime Minister Marape said.
As part of the Visit, Papua New Guinea will also showcase its rich Cultural heritage through the “Plumes of Paradise” Exhibition in Paris, while the Prime Minister is expected to visit one of France’s leading Museums housing Papua New Guinean artefacts and collections.
Prime Minister Marape also confirmed that he would meet with TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné to progress discussions on Papua LNG and Domestic Energy Security. “We are securing Domestic Market Obligations from our Gas Projects because we want Papua New Guinea to become Energy secure in the future,” he stated. “Our Vision is that by the time PNG turns 60, we should have a country powered increasingly by our own Energy resources.”
Prime Minister Marape will return later this week following the completion of his official engagements in France.