5th European Union-PNG Business Forum: Growing together
More than 300 participants from Papua New Guinea and Europe gathered in Port Moresby on 2-3 June for the 5th European Union–Papua New Guinea Business Forum. Held under the theme “The EU Global Gateway for Sustainable Investment, Connectivity and Growth in Papua New Guinea”, the Forum brought together government, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, and investors from Papua New Guinea and Europe. Representatives from 77 companies, including 23 European companies, found there a valuable platform to deepen economic cooperation, identify new investment opportunities, and strengthen long-term partnerships between Papua New Guinea and the European Union. Participants explored business opportunities in renewable energy and safe water, digital transformation and connectivity, inclusive and sustainable extractive industries and development of agriculture value chains. The very rich programme featured practical business sessions on exporting to the EU market and doing business in PNG, masterclasses on EU deforestation regulation as well as site visits.
The European Union (EU) and the Government of Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed on this occasion their shared commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, promoting sustainable investment, and advancing private sector-led growth.
Opening the Forum, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape welcomed the growing engagement between Papua New Guinea and the European Union and encouraged European businesses and investors to partner with Papua New Guinea in unlocking the country's vast economic potential. Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the Government's commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic growth and called on EU and Papua New Guinean businesses to “grow together” through partnerships that create jobs, stimulate investment, transfer technology, and improve livelihoods. He emphasized that Papua New Guinea remains open for business and is committed to providing a stable and predictable environment for responsible investment and private sector development.
Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Hon. Sir Ano Pala, described the European Union as a trusted and strategic development partner that has supported Papua New Guinea's development journey over many years.
At closing ceremony, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, highlighted that this Forum not only advances concrete business ties but reinforces partnership in general. The EU and Papua New Guinea have evolved from development partners to strategic partners. Partnership matters more than ever, based on respect and shared values.
EU Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Erika Hasznos noted: “This Forum is about our shared vision of an open, sustainable and prosperous Indo-Pacific; about translating political commitments into bankable projects; and about building long term, high-quality partnerships between European and PNG businesses”. Speaking at the Forum, Mr. Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia, Central Asia and Pacific at the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships, reaffirmed the strategic importance of Papua New Guinea within the European Union's Indo-Pacific engagement. He noted that Papua New Guinea's strategic location, abundant natural resources, and commitment to sustainable development make it an important partner for the European Union.
The Forum highlighted the European Union's Global Gateway Initiative as a key mechanism for supporting sustainable investment in infrastructure, connectivity, renewable energy, water security, digital transformation, and private sector development. A major highlight of the Forum was the signing of a new Global Gateway investment, the Water Wise Communities Project Loan and Grant Agreement. The European Investment Bank is providing a concessional loan of 25 million EUR (approx. PGK 126 million) combined with a grant by the EU of 16,4 million EUR (approx. PGK 83 million) to bring steady supplies of potable water to an extra 400 000 people in PNG while strengthening climate resilience and urban sustainability.
The Forum concluded with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation under the EU Global Gateway Strategy and to work together to promote sustainable investment, responsible resource development, stronger trade and investment linkages, and improved economic opportunities for the people of Papua New Guinea.
About EU-PNG Business Forum
Since its first edition in 2011, the EU–Papua New Guinea Business Forum has served as a platform to strengthen economic ties and advance sustainable investment & trade relations between the EU and Papua New Guinea. After the regional Business Forum for the Pacific in Fiji in 2025, this 2026 Business Forum focused entirely on Papua New Guinea and on concrete opportunities for European and PNG businesses under the Global Gateway Strategy. It is organised by the European Union in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), in cooperation with the Government of Papua New Guinea, in particular the National Trade Office (NTO) and the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), and with the PNG-Europe Business Council.
About the EU Global Gateway
Global Gateway is supporting sustainable and high-quality investment globally. Global Gateway is the European strategy to boost connectivity and bring smart, clean and secure investment to digital, energy and transport sectors. It also strengthens health, education and research across the world. Through a 'Team Europe approach', Global Gateway brings together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector for larger investments promoting sustainable growth.