Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Wayne Tkatchenko attended the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 11 July, where he delivered a landmark address reaffirming PNG’s aspiration to transition from ASEAN Special Observer to full membership. Minister Tkatchenko emphasised the strategic and economic value that Papua New Guinea brings to the region.
“Papua New Guinea stands with one foot in Asia and one in the Pacific,” Minister Tkatchenko stated. “Our inclusion would enhance ASEAN’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly amid growing geopolitical tensions and cross-border security challenges.”
Highlighting PNG’s readiness to contribute to ASEAN, he pointed to the nation’s potential to strengthen economic connectivity and people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and the Pacific. “PNG’s inclusion would give ASEAN an economic foothold in the Pacific and unlock trade and investment opportunities,” he noted, referencing the country’s abundant natural resources, including major LNG and crude oil exports, a 2.4 million km² Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and globally significant biodiversity.
Minister Tkatchenko further remarked, “The recent imposition of tariffs by major powers has impacted ASEAN’s economic security. PNG’s vast resource base can offer the bloc a reliable partner for diversification and growth.”
Bilateral engagements and ASEAN membership efforts
On the margins of the Forum, Minister Tkatchenko held bilateral meetings with counterparts from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, including Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, New Zealand, Thailand and Turkey. Discussions centred on deepening relations and garnering support for PNG’s ASEAN membership aspirations.
While PNG has not yet submitted a formal application for full membership, the Department of Foreign Affairs is preparing a Cabinet Policy Submission for consideration by the National Executive Council (NEC).
Having maintained ASEAN Special Observer status since 1976, PNG is a permanent member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the largest Asia-Pacific political and security forum comprising ASEAN’s 10 member states, 10 Dialogue Partners and 7 Observers. PNG has established full diplomatic missions in four ASEAN countries, with a fifth mission set to open in Thailand later this year, progressively fulfilling ASEAN’s membership expectations.
Minister Tkatchenko concluded, “Papua New Guinea respects the ASEAN process and stands ready to commit fully to its obligations, initiatives and agreements. We offer strategic geography, surplus resources and steadfast commitment to peace and regional cooperation.”
This renewed bid marks a pivotal step in PNG’s 49-year engagement with ASEAN and its continued role as a bridge between Asia and the Pacific.
