The Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) joined the Government of Papua New Guinea delegation for the recent High-Level Business Dialogue held in Japan from 22–23 July 2025.
Representing DNPM, Ms. Loia Joy Vaira, First Assistant Secretary of the Development Cooperation Management Division, participated in sessions hosted at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo on 22 July. The engagement formed part of Prime Minister Hon. James Marape’s official program during the dialogue.
While the primary focus of the visit was to strengthen trade and investment relations with Japanese businesses, it also reaffirmed the longstanding development partnership between Papua New Guinea and Japan.
A key moment of the visit was Prime Minister Marape’s meeting with the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Akihiko Tanaka. The two leaders discussed current and prospective Japanese support across key sectors, including infrastructure and capacity development.
On the sidelines of the dialogue, Prime Minister Marape held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Both leaders committed to deepening cooperation and identifying new opportunities for collaboration to support sustainable development in PNG.
On 23 July, DNPM witnessed the signing of the Consultant Agreement under the JICA Grant Aid Project for the Improvement of the National Fisheries College in Kavieng. The project, valued at K92.5 million, will be delivered through a partnership between the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and Japan’s Fisheries Engineering Co., Ltd.
This engagement underscores the enduring strength of PNG–Japan relations and their shared commitment to advancing national development through both aid and trade.