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Papua New Guinea and Australia have agreed on the wording of a landmark mutual defence treaty, paving the way for the two nations to formalise a new military alliance once cabinet processes are completed in both capitals, but it highlights a lacklustre Pacific tour.
Dubbed the Pukpuk Treaty after the Tok Pisin word for crocodile – a symbol of strength and resilience – the agreement, once approved, commits the two nations to treating an armed attack on one as a threat to both.
The treaty will also modernise defence ties, including a recruitment pathway for Papua New Guinean citizens to serve in the Australian Defence Force, and expand cooperation through stronger capability, interoperability and integration.
The treaty contains strict safeguards to ensure that third-party arrangements do not undermine the alliance, while reaffirming both countries’ respect for the sovereignty and independence of Pacific neighbours.
Papua New Guinea proposed the pact as part of its 50th anniversary of independence, a move warmly welcomed in Canberra. Officials said the alliance will be grounded in half a century of cooperation, sacrifices shared by generations of defence personnel, and a joint commitment to democracy and sovereignty.
The treaty, once signed following cabinet processes in both countries, will mark the start of what leaders have described as an historic new chapter between the closest of neighbours, partners and friends.
The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s attendance at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum in the Solomon Islands, where regional security and climate resilience dominated discussions.
In Honiara, Prime Minister Albanese joined Pacific leaders in signing the Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty, creating the first Pacific-led regional climate-financing mechanism.
Backed by a $100 million Australian contribution, the largest among members, the fund will begin issuing small-scale community grants in 2026 to help locals prepare for and withstand the impacts of climate change.
Leaders also endorsed Australia’s bid to co-host the 2031 UN Climate Conference with Pacific nations, aiming to shine a global spotlight on the region’s climate challenges and leadership.
In another milestone, they declared the Blue Pacific an Ocean of Peace, urging the international community to respect Pacific-led approaches to stability and security.
On the sidelines of the forum, Prime Minister Albanese met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to congratulate him on hosting the gathering.
The pair discussed the ongoing partnership to expand the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and announced the design phase of an Australian-funded police academy in Honiara.
Reflecting on the week, Prime Minister Albanese said the developments underscored both the strength of Australia’s partnership with Papua New Guinea and the unity of the Pacific family.
“The Pacific Islands Forum unites our region and makes us stronger – it is key to realising the vision of Pacific leaders for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” he said.
“Australia is a partner the region can count on. It is in our interests to foster a safe and resilient region that enables all our economies to grow and prosper together. The Ocean of Peace Declaration is a powerful statement of Pacific resolve, building on Prime Minister Rabuka’s vision for a region of stability, prosperity and security.”
Together, the Pukpuk Treaty and the forum’s outcomes signal a deepening of Australia’s commitment to the Pacific, a commitment grounded in kinship, shared history and a collective determination to shape a peaceful and prosperous future.
