La France dans le Pacifique

30/05/2026

28/05/2026

Réception à la résidence de la Consule Générale Megan Bainbridge de L'Australie en Nouvelle-Calédonie et Wallis et Futuna 🇦🇺🇫🇷

Un moment de partage et d'échange autour de la fête nationale australienne . Une nouvelle occasion de rappeler le partenariat durable entre la France et l'Australie, unies autour d'un socle commun de valeurs 🤝

Une relation bilatérale également nourrie par les liens étroits entre l'Australie et la Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Un grand merci à la Consule Générale et son équipe pour cette soirée.

Vive l'amitié franco-australienne !🇫🇷🇦🇺

25/05/2026

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape was on an official visit to France last week, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron, and also held a number of important meetings to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

🔗Read Patrick Decloitre's full story, linked below.

22/05/2026

📣Annonce de l'établissement d'une ambassade de Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée à Paris à l'occasion de la présence du Premier ministre de Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée en France 🇵🇬🇲🇫

👉Nos deux Nations partagent un attachement commun aux valeurs démocratiques, au multilatéralisme, au droit international et à la protection des biens publics mondiaux.

👉Une annonce forte alors que nous célébrons les cinquante ans de nos relations diplomatiques.

👉Un engagement commun en faveur de la paix, de la stabilité, de la sécurité et de la résilience face au changement climatique dans le monde et en particulier dans la région Pacifique.

France in Papua New Guinea / La France en Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée

22/05/2026

WITH LOVE FROM PARIS: FRANCE AND PNG GROW CLOSER

PARIS, FRANCE | 21 MAY 2026| France and Papua New Guinea have moved to deepen diplomatic, economic and climate ties after talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Paris.

The meeting at the Élysée Palace came nearly three years after Macron became the first French president to visit Papua New Guinea, a trip in 2023 seen as a major step in France’s Pacific engagement.

After the meeting, Macron said he was “delighted to reconnect” with Marape and pledged continued work on forest protection and ocean conservation. He described Papua New Guinea’s forests as “the true lungs of the Pacific.”

Marape’s visit centres on trade, infrastructure, climate finance, energy investment, maritime security and regional cooperation as Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence.

PNG’s Prime Minister’s Office said the visit includes meetings with French business leaders, the French Development Agency, TotalEnergies executives, senators and members of the National Assembly.

One major item is French support linked to the proposed redevelopment of Rabaul Port, which Port Moresby wants positioned as an agro-fisheries and trade hub serving the New Guinea Islands region.

France and Papua New Guinea are also discussing renewable energy, biodiversity programs and maritime surveillance aimed at countering illegal fishing in Pacific waters.

France has increased its Pacific engagement in recent years as strategic competition grows across Oceania. Through New Caledonia and French Polynesia, France holds one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones and maintains a permanent military presence in the region.

Papua New Guinea has become an important Pacific partner to major powers seeking influence across the Indo-Pacific, while maintaining relations with Australia, France, China, the United States, Indonesia and the European Union.

Marape said Papua New Guinea wants stronger access to European markets for tuna, palm oil and agricultural exports, while encouraging greater French investment in energy, infrastructure and downstream resource processing.

22/05/2026

France, PNG deepen climate and port ties during Marape visit

PARIS| 21 May 2026: Papua New Guinea and France have advanced cooperation on forest protection, climate finance, renewable energy and the planned green redevelopment of Rabaul Port during Prime Minister James Marape’s state visit to France.

Marape met Agence Française de Développement leaders in Paris, where talks centred on Rabaul Port, forest and biodiversity protection, green finance, energy transition and future economic cooperation. The visit marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between PNG and France.

The Rabaul project is valued at more than €80 million. AFD says it includes €24 million from AFD, €24 million from the European Investment Bank and a €16.6 million European Union grant. Planned works include wharves, storage facilities, export-focused fish processing infrastructure, waste and wastewater systems, emissions reduction and port resilience measures.

European partners describe Rabaul as PNG’s first green port project under the EU Global Gateway programme. The European Investment Bank says the project will increase port capacity, efficiency, safety and climate resilience, while supporting cargo, passenger and fisheries-linked activity in New Britain.

Marape said financing negotiations were nearing completion after National Executive Council approval, with signing expected in coming weeks. He said Rabaul could become a regional import-export hub, supporting cocoa, fisheries, sustainable timber, tourism, manufacturing and downstream processing.

The talks build on France’s 2023 commitment with PNG on forest management, conservation and climate change, including energy transition, Rabaul Port resilience works and green finance. France also pledged €63 million across 2021–2024 under a forests, climate change and biodiversity programme.

PNG has placed forest conservation and climate finance near the top of its diplomatic agenda. In March, Marape announced a PNG Country Package Secretariat under his department to coordinate forest, nature and climate programmes, including EU-backed biodiversity and climate resilience work.

📸 AFD Group

22/05/2026

*** Prime Minister Marape Thanks France for Friendship, Shared Values, and Partnership With Papua New Guinea ***

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has thanked the Government and people of France for their warm hospitality and enduring friendship with Papua New Guinea during a luncheon hosted in Paris with members of the French National Assembly and officials on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Prior to the luncheon, Prime Minister Marape and the Papua New Guinea delegation were given a tour of the French National Assembly before witnessing the Assembly in session, where the Prime Minister received a standing ovation from French Members of Parliament.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea deeply appreciated France’s support and partnership over the last 50 years, particularly as PNG celebrates its 50th anniversary of Independence in 2026.

“Since the day we arrived, we have felt very much at home and very welcome,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“I want to sincerely thank the Government of France, the National Assembly, and all our French friends for the wonderful hospitality extended to my delegation and my family.”

Prime Minister Marape said PNG and France shared common values and responsibilities, especially in protecting the planet for future generations.

“We cannot change history, but we must live in the present and construct the future,” he said.

“As leaders of today, we have a responsibility to make sure we leave behind a livable planet for our children and grandchildren.

“Papua New Guinea and France share common interests in preserving our oceans, our forests, our biodiversity, and our collective planet.”

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea was proud to contribute to the global environmental agenda through the protection of its vast rainforests and oceans.

“Six percent of the world’s biodiversity is found in Papua New Guinea,” he said.

“Our forests and oceans are among the world’s important carbon sinks that help clean the atmosphere for all humanity.

“These are not just Papua New Guinea’s resources — they are global assets that benefit the entire world.”

Prime Minister Marape thanked France for supporting ocean and forest preservation initiatives in Papua New Guinea and encouraged greater French investment into environmentally responsible projects in PNG.

“Your investors coming into Papua New Guinea can help us grow our economy while also helping us preserve our forests and oceans,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape also reflected personally on his own life journey from humble beginnings in rural Papua New Guinea to addressing leaders in one of the world’s great democracies.

“My father once told me stories as I was growing up in the remote parts of my country,” he said. “Fifty years ago, I spoke no English. Fifty years ago, I did not know France existed.

“But in one lifetime, I have come from absolute obscurity into a position where I can stand here today and share our nation’s story with you.”

Prime Minister Marape stressed that humanity must work together beyond political divisions and power rivalries to protect global peace and human dignity.

“COVID-19 reminded us that we all live on one shared planet,” he said.

“What happens in one part of the world can affect the entire planet.

“We are all part of one human family.

“If you cut my vein and cut another person’s vein, the blood is the same human blood.”

Prime Minister Marape urged France to continue using its voice and influence in global affairs to advocate for democracy, human rights, environmental protection, and fairness for smaller nations and the Global South.

“France is not just a middle power — France is a great power,” he said.

“The weight of your history, your democracy, your science, your education, and your commitment to human rights gives France an important place in shaping the future of humanity.”

Prime Minister Marape said while leaders may come and go, the shared values between Papua New Guinea and France must continue to endure.

“President Macron may come and go. Prime Minister Marape may come and go. But the common values of humanity must remain strong,” he said.

“We thank France for standing beside Papua New Guinea over the last 50 years, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership into the future.”

22/05/2026

PRIME MINISTER MARAPE WELCOMES STRATEGIC PNG–FRANCE COOPERATION, HIGHLIGHTS RABAUL PORT REDEVELOPMENT

21st May 2026

Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed significant progress in strategic cooperation between Papua New Guinea and France following high-level bilateral discussions, with the proposed redevelopment of Rabaul Port emerging as a key agenda item.

Prime Minister Marape said the strengthening partnership between PNG and France reflects the Government’s commitment to advancing strategic infrastructure, economic cooperation, maritime security, and long-term development opportunities for the country.

“The discussions with France mark an important step forward in our growing bilateral relationship, particularly in areas of infrastructure development, trade, security cooperation, and investment,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“Among the important matters discussed was the redevelopment of Rabaul Port, a strategic national asset that holds immense potential for trade, tourism, logistics, and economic expansion in the New Guinea Islands region and the broader Pacific.”

Prime Minister Marape said modernising Rabaul Port would support PNG’s ambition to improve critical transport infrastructure and position the country more competitively within regional and international trade networks.

“Rabaul Port has historical and strategic significance for our country. Its redevelopment would not only improve maritime connectivity but also stimulate economic activity, create employment, and unlock new business opportunities for East New Britain and surrounding provinces,” he said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged France’s growing engagement with Papua New Guinea in key areas including defence cooperation, maritime surveillance, fisheries protection, climate resilience, and broader economic collaboration.

“France is an important partner in the Pacific, and Papua New Guinea values this evolving relationship as we work together on shared regional priorities, including security, sustainable development, and economic growth,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering strategic international partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea.

“PNG remains open to meaningful partnerships that support national development, strengthen our economy, and create opportunities for our people,” Prime Minister Marape said.