PNG balances geopolitical power play while strengthening ties

The Pacific region faces increasing strategic competition, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) is among countries at the crossroads of geopolitical dynamics.

With a unique geographical position between Asia and the Pacific, PNG is navigating these tensions while strengthening its defence partnerships.

PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy M. Joseph, left. Photo/NZDF

At this week’s South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting (SPDMM) in Auckland, PNG’s Defence Minister, Dr Billy M. Joseph, highlighted his government's commitment to balancing relationships with the global powers while focusing on regional security and capacity building.

Joseph underscored PNG’s strategic significance as it shares a land border with Indonesia and serves as a gateway to Asia for the Pacific.

As the second highest populated country in the Pacific region, this positioning brings both opportunities and challenges, as PNG navigates relationships with both traditional security partners Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, and major economic players like China.

“We do understand our geopolitical positioning... for security, we work with Australia, New Zealand, and our traditional partners,” Minister Joseph emphasised.

But a key concern for PNG is the security of its vast maritime boundaries.

The Defence Minister highlighted ongoing challenges, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes that threaten the region.

PNG has been working closely with Australia and New Zealand to bolster its maritime security efforts, particularly through joint patrols and exercises.

“There’s a lot of drugs coming in from Asia, as well as South America, through PNG... We work with Australia, New Zealand, and our Pacific friends to tackle these issues,” Joseph explained​.

To enhance its defence capabilities, PNG is focusing on modernisation efforts.

From left to right, Tonga Defence Minister & Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, Fiji Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua, NZ Defence Minister Judith Collins, Aus Defence Minister Richard Marles, Defense Undersecretary of Chile Ricardo Allende, French Ambassador to NZ Laurence Beau, PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy M. Joseph & PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa. Photo/NZDF

The Minister also discussed the importance of bilateral partnerships with countries like the US, which recently signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with PNG.

He noted PNG’s reliance on its traditional allies for capacity building and modernisation efforts, particularly in areas like special forces training.

Despite the growing military presence of external powers in the Pacific, PNG is advocating the region remain peaceful and demilitarised.

Joseph expressed concern about recent missile launches in the Pacific by China, urging external powers to refrain from using the region as a battleground.

“We want the Pacific to remain blue, remain peaceful... We would discourage any country from using the Pacific as a testing ground,” he said.

Defence Minister, Dr Billy M. Joseph, accepts the wero at the opening pōwhiri for SPDMM. Photo/NZDF