The Latest Breaking News from Papua New Guinea

Biden shortening overseas trip ahead of debt ceiling deadline

Biden will miss the first-ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a U.S. president.

Axios · May 16, 2023

PM Modi to visit Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia from May 19-24

PM Modi will be in Japan from May 19 to 21 for the G7 summit, he will then travel to Papua New Guinea for the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation on May 22, and will visit Australia from May 22 to 24 to attend the Quad summit

The Hindu · May 16, 2023

US defence pact to strengthen military, police -PNG leader

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said that the United States had been a "silent" security partner to his nation but that a defence cooperation pact to be signed when Joe Biden arrives Monday will see Washington "stepping out".

Reuters · May 16, 2023

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko steps aside

PNG's Foreign Minister faced widespread calls to resign after he called critics of a video, made during a taxpayer-funded trip to the coronation of King Charles III and posted on social media by his daughter, "primitive animals" and "useless individuals".

ABC News · May 12, 2023

PNG Prime Minister James Marape calls for nation to 'forgive' Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko over 'primitive animals' comments

Prime Minister James Marape asks the people of Papua New Guinea to "forgive" the country's foreign minister after his apology for his "primitive animals" comments.

ABC News · May 11, 2023

Opposition demands PNG foreign minister be sacked over 'primitive animals' comments while defending daughter

Calls for Papua New Guinea's foreign minister to be sacked — and have his citizenship stripped — over "racist" and "derogatory" comments are intensifying ahead of US President Joe Biden's historic visit to the country.

ABC News · May 11, 2023

New Zealand PM Hipkins to visit Papua New Guinea for U.S.–Pacific summit

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will head to Papua New Guinea on May 21 to attend the United States-Pacific Summit, his office said in a statement on Thursday.

Reuters · May 11, 2023

US President Joe Biden to sign defence pact in Papua New Guinea, with eyes on China

Joe Biden will sign defence and surveillance agreements with PNG, on a visit that renews the strategic importance of the nation.

The New Daily · May 10, 2023

Coronation travel cost prompts public backlash in Papua

Papua New Guinea has witnessed an online backlash over the cost to taxpayers of around 30 officials travelling to London for the coronation of King Charles, with the governor general's office denying media reports the bill was close $1 million.

Reuters · May 10, 2023

Exclusive-Biden to sign defence pact in Papua New Guinea, with eyes on China

United States President Joe Biden will sign defence and surveillance agreements with Papua New Guinea, the island nation's foreign minister said, on a visit that renews the strategic importance of the nation where Biden's uncle died in World War Two.

Reuters · May 10, 2023