Indonesia, Papua New Guinea plan ministerial talks to deepen ties

hartono · Jul 27, 2026

Indonesia, Papua New Guinea plan ministerial talks to deepen ties

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono (right) and Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC), and Related Meetings in Manila, the Philippines, Friday (July 24, 2027). /ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Papua New Guinea agreed to convene a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting in Jakarta in September 2026 to step up their strategic partnership.

The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry stated here on Monday that the upcoming forum will serve as a strategic venue for the two countries to thoroughly review achievements in bilateral cooperation while charting future joint initiatives.

“Indonesia is a partner in development for Papua New Guinea,” Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono remarked.

He sealed the plan for the JMC meeting during his talks with Papua New Guinean Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila, the Philippines.

During their meeting, Sugiono and Tkatchenko discussed plans for high-level visits, with the latter expressing hope for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to make an official trip to Papua New Guinea in early 2027.

The two ministers also used their Manila encounter to advance the implementation of cooperation agreements already signed, including those in defense and border management, aiming to yield mutual benefits.

Regarding joint development efforts, the top diplomats exchanged views on the continuation of Indonesia’s renovation program for Papua New Guinean hospitals.

"We are committed to ensuring that this cooperation continues to deliver tangible benefits to the people of Papua New Guinea," Sugiono said.

Tkatchenko reassured Jakarta of his government’s respect and full support for Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Furthermore, the Manila talks saw the two countries reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in pursuit of mutual benefits as neighboring nations.

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have long maintained harmonious relations, with cooperation across sectors deepening over the past few years.

For instance, their defense ministers met in Jakarta in July 2025 to discuss concrete steps to accelerate the implementation of the mutually ratified Defense Cooperation Agreement, including through forming a joint working group.

More recently, Indonesia’s Home Affairs Ministry hosted a Papua New Guinean delegation last week to strengthen power cooperation for border communities, with a joint border committee meeting scheduled for October 2026.

The relations extend beyond bilateral cooperation. President Prabowo openly voiced support for Papua New Guinea’s bid to join ASEAN at the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last year.