11 June 2014

2014 Strategic Security Dialogue for Papua New Guinea and Australia

Shared security interests and APEC 2018 security were the main topics of discussion at the inaugural PNG-Australia Strategic Security Dialogue held in Port Moresby today (11 June).

This new dialogue, established as an outcome from the 2013 PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum, provided an opportunity for officials to discuss mutual security interests and areas for cooperation.

Officials from respective whole-of-government agencies attended the dialogue.

PNG officials briefed their Australian counterparts on PNG’s recently released National Security Policy and Defence White Paper, while Australian delegates briefed on Australia’s national security priorities and its upcoming Defence White Paper.

Officials agreed that PNG and Australia have a vital interest in the security and stability of our immediate neighbourhood and an environment conducive to our mutual economic prosperity. Officials recognised our two countries have a long history of working together to address common security challenges, and that the relationship continues to evolve into one between equal and trusted partners.

Officials also discussed the importance of a whole-of-government approach to security, with coordination and collaboration between agencies a key factor in building internal and regional security. Officials noted Australia’s partnerships with PNG in defence and police continued to grow, and committed to ensuring these partnerships were responsive to PNG’s security needs and of mutual benefit.

Major event security cooperation was a key item on the agenda, in particular how Australia could support PNG as it prepared to APEC 2018.

Officials agreed that the inaugural Security Dialogue was an important addition to the existing architecture between PNG and Australia.

Australia offered to host the next Security Dialogue in 2015 in Australia.