Prime Minister Matthew Wale heads off to Papua New Guinea this morning for his first official bilateral meeting with his PNG counterpart James Marape, as the two Melanesian leaders seek to deepen cooperation on trade, mining, security, and regional affairs.
He flew on a specially arranged US aircraft that’s usually made available to Pacific leaders for urgent diplomatic travel. The prime minister and his delegation will return this evening.
The one-day visit is Wale’s third overseas trip since taking office in May.
His first official overseas visit was to Australia, followed by New Zealand, where he met with both governments to strengthen Solomon Islands’ key regional partnerships.
Prime Minister Marape will host Wale for high-level talks covering a broad range of bilateral and regional issues aimed at further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two neighbouring Melanesian nations.
Among the key agenda items will be economic cooperation, security, people-to-people links and closer collaboration on development priorities.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss Solomon Islands’ mining sector reforms, with the Government looking to draw on Papua New Guinea’s extensive experience in managing its mining industry.
Fuel quota arrangements and progress towards a broader framework agreement on economic and development cooperation are also expected to feature prominently during the discussions.
As Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Wale will also discuss regional issues with Marape, including strengthening Pacific cooperation and coordinating responses to shared regional challenges.
Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea share close historical, cultural and geographical ties, with both countries maintaining one of the Pacific’s longest-standing bilateral relationships.
The meeting is expected to reaffirm both governments’ commitment to expanding cooperation in areas that promote economic growth, regional security and sustainable development.
