Papua New Guinea and Fiji continue to stand as driving forces in the Pacific, working shoulder to shoulder to advance regional unity, security, and prosperity, according to PNG’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, MP.
Speaking as Guest of Honour at Fiji’s 55th National Day celebrations, Minister Tkatchenko extended heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of Fiji on behalf of Papua New Guinea. He described the occasion as both a celebration of Fiji’s national progress and a reaffirmation of enduring Melanesian solidarity.
“We look forward to growing and taking our relations to new heights,” Minister Tkatchenko said, highlighting the deep and historic partnership between the two nations.
Strengthening Regional Security and Cooperation
Minister Tkatchenko commended Fiji’s leadership in regional security and peacekeeping, noting that PNG and Fiji’s Defence and Peacekeeping Forces regularly train and deploy together under shared mandates. He praised Fiji’s investments in strengthening Pacific security through the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp and the Ocean of Peace initiative, both key pillars of the Pacific Islands Forum’s regional security agenda.
“We commend Fiji’s commitment to regional security, amplified by initiatives like the Blackrock facility, which boosts capacity not just for Fiji but for all of us,” he said.
Building Shared Prosperity
On the economic front, Minister Tkatchenko emphasized that both countries continue to pursue mutual prosperity through enhanced trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, and ICT collaboration. He also pointed to the growing importance of people-to-people connections, including tertiary education partnerships, labor mobility programs, and streamlined visa arrangements.
“The exchange of ideas, the flow of goods, and the movement of our people have enriched both our societies tremendously,” he said. “As we stand at this golden anniversary, let us reflect on the spirit of cooperation, respect, and mutual understanding that has defined our first 50 years.”
The Minister noted that while the world faces complex challenges — from climate change to intensifying geostrategic competition — PNG and Fiji remain strongest when working together to navigate these global shifts.
“The future of the Pacific is bright, and it rests on the strength of relationships like ours,” Minister Tkatchenko added.
Deep Cultural and Historical Bonds
Fiji’s High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Jackson Bernard Nato Evans, said the celebration carried special meaning for both countries, bound by history, culture, and friendship.
He reflected on 2025 as a year of triple milestones: 55 years of Fiji’s independence, 55 years of diplomatic relations between Fiji and Papua New Guinea, and 150 years since the arrival of the first Fijian missionaries on PNG’s shores — a legacy still visible through the vibrant Fijian community in the country.
“Some made PNG their home, serving as diplomats and fostering shared growth between our countries,” said H.E. Evans.
He noted that bilateral trade reached K26 million in 2024, with Fiji exporting a diverse range of manufactured goods and PNG supplying key commodities essential to Fijian industries.
“It’s a partnership that reflects our economic complementarity and shared Pacific solidarity,” he said. “As we mark 55 years of independence, may this be a time of reflection, peace, unity, and progress.”
A Partnership Anchored in Melanesian Strength
The event underscored how Fiji and Papua New Guinea — the Pacific’s two largest Melanesian economies — continue to anchor the region’s collective pursuit of peace, resilience, and inclusive growth.
Both nations’ collaboration through the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) remains central to advancing regional self-determination, climate resilience, and sustainable development in the Pacific family of nations.