United States signed defense and maritime agreements with Papua New Guinea on May 22 during Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit as the U.S. seeks to deepen partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
During his visit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held meetings with Papua New Guinean top leadership, including Prime Minister James Marape and Defense Minister Win Bakri Daki. Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Marape reviewed the new Defense Cooperation Agreement and Bilateral Maritime Law Enforcement Agreement between the two countries.
According to the Department of State release, they discussed “economic development, addressing the climate crisis, and the importance of continuing U.S. engagement with the Pacific”.
Secretary Blinken also reiterated U.S. President Joe Biden’s invitation to the prime minister of Papua New Guinea to visit Washington, D.C. later this year to attend the second U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit.
He said that the United States is expanding trade, investment, and business initiatives with the island nation. Blinken stated that the U.S. administration is working with Congress to provide over $45 million in new programming on sustainable and inclusive development, public health, and energy security to Papua New Guinea. Later this year, the U.S. will send its first-ever U.S. business delegation to Pacific Island countries to explore opportunities in energy, transportation, healthcare, tourism, and telecommunications.
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape said that with the signing of the defense agreement, “we are now elevating that to a specific relationship exclusive for U.S.A.-PNG military cooperations and military engagements and partnership.”
Marape told a joint news conference with Blinken that “there is nothing for us to be fearful about” the new defense pact. He added that the agreement would not affect Papua New Guinea’s relationships with other nations. “It does not affect – whether in China or Australia or United Kingdom or Japan or India or any other nation, for that matter – this agreement does not in one way, shape, and form stop Papua New Guinea from continuing on doing business” wit other countries. He added that: “We have a healthy relationship with the Chinese government and they are an important trading partner.”
Defense Cooperation Agreement
The Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will modernize the security relationship between the United States and Papua New Guinea (PNG) and replace an outdated accord. This agreement will enhance security cooperation, improve the capacity of the PNG Defence Force, and increase stability and security in the region.
This agreement will facilitate bilateral and multilateral exercises and engagements. It also enables the United States to be more responsive in emergency situations, such as those involving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Pleased to join our Papua New Guinea partners to sign a Defense Cooperative Agreement that will enhance security cooperation, further strengthen our bilateral relationship, improve the capacity of the PNG Defense Force, and increase stability and security in the region. pic.twitter.com/0nqWYCOJAn
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 22, 2023
Maritime Agreement
On May 22, Secretary Blinken signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement to counter illicit transnational maritime activity through joint at-sea operations.
The Agreement Concerning Counter Illicit Transnational Maritime Activity Operations addresses a range of maritime threats including illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and illicit transport of weapons of mass destruction. This agreement adds to the 11 existing agreements within the Pacific Island region and strengthens maritime governance and enforcement globally.
It will allow PNG to participate in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Shiprider program, enhancing its enforcement capabilities, improving overall maritime domain awareness, and helping PNG protect its sovereignty.
U.S. and Papua New Guinea partnership
Some of the highlights of the U.S. partnership with the Pacific Island country.
- U.S. to provide an additional $10 million to Implement the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) in PNG, bringing total planned funding thus far to $30 million over three years.
- U.S. launches 2+2 strategic dialogue with Papua New Guinea to deepen diplomatic and security relationship with PNG.
- The United States plans to provide $4 million to support PNG’s ability to address transnational organized crime-enabled corruption and money laundering
- On May 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense provided the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) with $5.4 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) funded by the Department of State’s Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.
- Through USAID, the U.S. will provide an additional $12.5 million to help PNG strengthen the critical resources and systems needed to make communities more climate resilient.
- USAID plans to provide $500,000 to support this collaborative partner effort subject to Congressional approval.
- USAID aims to expand electricity access to 70% of Papua New Guineans by 2030 and has improved energy access for over 600,000 Papua New Guineans.
