Philippines to Host Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and the Inaugural PH-Papua New Guinea Political Consultations

MANILA 04 April 2024 – Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko is undertaking an official visit to the Philippines this week to discuss the partnership between the two Pacific nations, leading up to the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations next year. Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Minister Tkatchenko will touch on ways to deepen existing cooperation on tourism, labor, agriculture, fisheries, trade, and technical cooperation, among others. The two ministers will likewise exchange views on regional developments of mutual concern to both countries. 

The official meeting between Secretary Manalo and Foreign Minister Tkatchencko will be followed by the Inaugural Philippines-Papua New Guinea Policy Consultations on 04 April 2024 which aims to facilitate enhanced communication and coordination on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interests. The Policy Consultation mechanism was enabled by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two ministers on 15 November 2023 in San Francisco, USA at the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

Currently, Papua New Guinea hosts more than 35,000 Filipinos, mostly working as managers and supervisors, that contribute to both the Philippine and Papua New Guinean economies and societies.

In 1975, the Philippines was among the first countries to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Independent State of Papua New Guinea after it was declared and recognized as a sovereign nation on 16 September 1975. END