Congratulations to Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence Anniversary From the European Union

For 49 years already, the European Union has been represented in Papua New Guinea. In this period, the EU has grown from 9 member countries to today’s 27 member countries, and our cooperation with global partners has greatly expanded in both scope and depth. The partnership between the European Union and Papua New Guinea is built on the solid foundation of shared values, including a deep commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. 

Today more than ever, the multilateral system remains the best guarantee of peace and security. We stand together in support of the international institutions and the rules-based system, and we are strongly committed to partnership and cooperation with Papua New Guinea for regional as well as global peace and security. We greatly appreciate the consistent solidarity shown by your country against the war of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The EU deeply values our shared interests and mutual trust as we navigate many global challenges together. 

I arrived in Papua New Guinea to be the European Union’s Ambassador a year ago, in September 2025. I was privileged to observe the solemn and joyful celebrations of the 50th Independence Jubilee. After a rich and rewarding year in the country, I am looking forward with optimism to pursuing our strong partnership, working on our great plans and continuing our collective journey towards shared benefits.  

Because dignity and wealth come with decent work, we promote sustainable livelihoods in the agriculture sector. Cocoa, that we support from the cocoa farms in the East and West Sepik to manufacturing in Port Moresby, is one concrete example of what sustainable value chains mean. 

Because we care about Papua New Guinean forests, about the protection of biodiversity and our joint fight against climate change, we are investing heavily into their preservation and sustainable exploitation via our EU- Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity programme of K216million. Because Papua New Guineans are the best qualified to look after their resources, as part of this project, we give scholarships to 40 Papua New Guinean science students to accomplish their master studies in the country. 

Because trade is better than aid, we have granted PNG, since 2009, duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market. In fact, the EU, made of 27 Member States, is the 4th export destination for PNG. The 5th EU-PNG Business forum, held in June 2026 in Port Moresby with more than 350 participants coming from EU and PNG private sector, PNG Government at the highest level, Ambassadors and trade counsellors of EU Member States and international financial institutions showed great appetite for growing together, and doing more business on both sides. 

Because we acknowledge the need of Papua New Guinea for greater connectivity, we are deploying major infrastructure projects as part of our Global Gateway investment strategy. Renovating the Rabaul port into the first Green Port in the Pacific region, providing sustainable and reliable renewable energy generation in Wewak and Kavieng, bringing water to communities in Port Moresby and District towns, are significant projects that are unfolding in Papua New Guinea under the EU`s Global Gateway strategy.

Because we share the same values, we are engaged in building solid Human Rights institutions and policies together in Papua New Guinea. We protect those affected by gender-based violence and sorcery-based accusations. We promote public accountability and performance. 

On this historic day, we reaffirm our commitment to deepening our political, environmental, and economic ties. We wholeheartedly congratulate Papua New Guinea on its 51st anniversary of Independence and Democracy, and we wish the people of Papua New Guinea a peaceful, prosperous, and joyous Independence Day!

Erika Hasznos

European Union Ambassador