The bilateral meeting between Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape and New Caledonia’s President Alcide Ponga on 27 October 2025, attended by France’s Ambassador to PNG, H.E. Pierre Fournier, was more than a routine diplomatic exchange. It represented a timely reaffirmation of Melanesian solidarity and a nuanced signal of how Port Moresby intends to navigate the shifting dynamics of Pacific regionalism.
The meeting took place on the margins of President Ponga’s official visit to Papua New Guinea, marking the first high-level engagement between the two governments since New Caledonia’s 2021 independence referendum. The tone was cordial and forward-looking, underscoring not only the shared historical and cultural ties between the two Melanesian societies, but also a shared interest in maintaining regional stability amid growing geopolitical competition.
Beyond the Bilateral: A Shared Melanesian Identity
Although formal diplomatic relations exist between Port Moresby and Paris, the relationship between Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia has evolved through the frameworks of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). The latter remains a cornerstone of sub-regional diplomacy — a platform where cultural kinship intersects with pragmatic cooperation on trade, security, and governance.
Marape’s remarks during the meeting reflected a deliberate emphasis on Melanesian identity as a diplomatic anchor. “As part of the Melanesian family, we share deep cultural and historical ties,” he said. The message was clear: despite differing political arrangements — New Caledonia as a French territory, PNG as an independent Pacific state — both remain integral to a collective Melanesian narrative that values shared heritage and mutual support.
In reaffirming support for the 2018 Joint Cooperation Plan, both leaders signalled intent to accelerate collaboration in areas such as infrastructure, education, environmental resilience, and economic connectivity. These practical measures offer a path toward operationalising Melanesian solidarity beyond rhetoric, embedding it within projects that directly benefit communities.
Navigating France’s Renewed Pacific Posture
The presence of Ambassador Fournier at the meeting underscored the broader context of France’s strategic re-engagement in the Pacific. In recent years, Paris has sought to reposition itself as a constructive and enduring partner for Pacific Island nations, partly in response to the intensifying geopolitical competition between China, Australia, and the United States in the region.
For France, New Caledonia and French Polynesia are not just overseas territories — they represent the country’s gateway to the Pacific and the basis for its claims to a vast exclusive economic zone. New Caledonia’s internal political trajectory, therefore, has direct implications for France’s strategic presence in the region.
From Papua New Guinea’s perspective, engaging New Caledonia is both a gesture of regional solidarity and a pragmatic recognition of France’s enduring role in Pacific affairs. PNG’s approach has been measured: reaffirming respect for the Nouméa Accord and Bougival Agreement, while recognising New Caledonia’s right to chart its own course. This balance — between respecting self-determination and acknowledging French sovereignty — reflects Port Moresby’s diplomatic maturity and its understanding of the complex web of Pacific governance.
MSG and the Relevance of Sub-Regional Diplomacy
The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the FLNKS (Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste) representing New Caledonia’s independence movement, has often been seen as a barometer of Melanesian cohesion. While the MSG’s political influence has fluctuated in recent years, the group continues to serve as a critical channel for sub-regional cooperation.
For PNG, reaffirming ties with New Caledonia through the MSG lens is both strategic and symbolic. It strengthens its claim as a regional leader within Melanesia, particularly as geopolitical competition intensifies across the Pacific. It also positions PNG as a stabilising influence within the group — a country that can mediate between the interests of independent states and those navigating complex post-colonial transitions.
Marape’s government has consistently prioritised regional unity and self-determination within the Pacific, balancing constructive engagement with global powers against the imperative of Pacific-led solutions. His support for the “Pacific Way” and emphasis on inclusive regionalism align closely with the evolving consensus within the PIF — that external partnerships must reinforce, not redefine, Pacific priorities.
Sovereignty, Self-Determination, and the Pacific Consensus
By reaffirming respect for New Caledonia’s sovereignty and nation-building process, Papua New Guinea reinforces a principle that resonates deeply across the Pacific — that self-determination must proceed through peaceful, democratic, and locally owned processes.
Marape’s statement that PNG “respects the wishes of the people of New Caledonia and the integrity of the process agreed upon under the Nouméa Accord” is particularly significant. It reflects a cautious but principled stance: supporting autonomy movements that pursue constitutional dialogue, while avoiding any inference of interference in France’s internal affairs.
This nuanced diplomacy reflects PNG’s broader approach to regional governance — one that balances solidarity with pragmatism. By offering to share experiences in nation-building and constitutional development, PNG projects itself as a mentor within the Melanesian community, leveraging its own post-independence journey to support others seeking political evolution within complex colonial legacies.
Strategic Implications for the Pacific
The timing of this renewed engagement is notable. The Pacific is entering an era of heightened strategic competition, with global powers intensifying their presence and influence across the region. For smaller island states, this has created both opportunities and vulnerabilities. For sub-regional groups like the MSG, maintaining internal cohesion and agency is crucial.
In this environment, Papua New Guinea’s outreach to New Caledonia serves a dual function: it reaffirms Melanesian unity at a time of growing external interest, and it reinforces the principle that Pacific futures must be shaped by Pacific voices. By engaging constructively with France through New Caledonia, PNG is positioning itself as a bridge between independent Pacific states and metropolitan partners, a role that enhances its diplomatic weight within the PIF and beyond.
A Forward-Looking Partnership
Ultimately, the Marape–Ponga meeting signals a renewed chapter in Melanesian partnership — one that acknowledges shared histories while looking forward to collective growth. The decision to revisit the 2018 Joint Cooperation Plan reflects a practical commitment to translating political solidarity into economic and social outcomes.
For Papua New Guinea, this engagement is consistent with its broader foreign policy vision: “Friends to All, Enemies to None”, guided by mutual respect, regional solidarity, and pragmatic cooperation. For New Caledonia, it offers an opportunity to deepen sub-regional linkages while navigating its complex path toward political maturity.
In an increasingly contested Pacific, the message emerging from Port Moresby is clear: the strength of the region lies not in external alliances, but in the enduring bonds of Melanesia — shared history, mutual respect, and collective purpose.