Australia and Papua New Guinea are poised to sign a landmark defense treaty, pledging mutual protection against armed attacks. This strategic alliance comes in response to what both nations describe as ’emerging threats’ to their security, as revealed in the treaty text reviewed by AFP on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Widely interpreted as a direct effort to address Beijing’s expanding footprint in the Pacific, this significant agreement is slated for signing by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape on Wednesday, September 17, in Port Moresby.
Beyond mutual defense, the treaty includes provisions allowing citizens of each country to serve in the other’s armed forces – a remarkable development as Papua New Guinea commemorates its 50th year of independence from Australia.
The treaty explicitly states that ‘Each Party recognizes that an armed attack on either of the Parties within the Pacific would pose a grave danger to each other’s peace and security and, by extension, to the overall security of the Pacific region.’
To address such threats, both signatories commit to ‘act to meet the common danger, in accordance with its constitutional processes,’ ensuring a coordinated response.
The agreement underscores a shared understanding that both Australia and Papua New Guinea are confronting ’emerging threats to their national interests and regional security’.
It further emphasizes their ‘resolute commitment to working together to support a peaceful, stable, prosperous region that upholds the principle of sovereignty’.
This latest pact builds upon a broader security agreement that the two nations initially formalized in 2023.
Independence Celebrations Temporarily Halt Treaty Signing
Although the Papua New Guinean cabinet was initially expected to approve the treaty on Monday, September 15, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed to the media that the signing was postponed. He explained that the delay was due to ministers returning to their home regions to participate in the ongoing independence festivities.
Albanese elaborated, stating, ‘They didn’t have a quorum, as everyone has returned to their respective areas to celebrate this momentous occasion across the entire nation,’ during his address to the press in Port Moresby.
He assured, ‘We will be able to advance the treaty tomorrow,’ indicating its imminent progression.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, September 16, leaders from various Pacific nations gathered in Port Moresby for a ceremonial flag-raising event, commemorating Papua New Guinea’s independence anniversary.
The ceremony saw a vibrant display of cultural heritage, with attendees adorned in the traditional attire of PNG’s numerous tribes, as scouts proudly hoisted the nation’s iconic black and red flag, emblazoned with the magnificent Raggiana bird of paradise.
Situated just north of Australia, Papua New Guinea stands as the largest and most populous nation within the Melanesian region.
Over the last decade, China has significantly increased its investment in Pacific nations, channeling billions of dollars into vital infrastructure projects such as hospitals, sports stadiums, and roads.
This strategic investment approach by Beijing appears to be yielding considerable geopolitical returns.
Indeed, in recent years, countries like the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru have notably shifted their allegiance, cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan to establish relations with China.
In response, Canberra has intensified its diplomatic and strategic engagement with the Pacific region, explicitly aiming to counteract Beijing’s expanding influence.
Just last week, Prime Minister Albanese visited Vanuatu to discuss a proposed agreement designed to strengthen Australia’s ties with this key Pacific island nation.
However, that particular deal remained unsigned, as Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat expressed reservations that its existing language might restrict his country’s flexibility in securing funding for ‘critical infrastructure’ from other international partners.