U.S. Relations With Papua New Guinea
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More information about Papua New Guinea is available on the Papua New Guinea Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-PAPUA NEW GUINEA RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea in 1975, following its independence from a United Nations trusteeship administered by Australia. As the most populous Pacific Island state, Papua New Guinea is important to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. The country has experienced recent economic progress and has abundant energy, agricultural, and mineral resources. But it faces challenges including weak governance, corruption, limited capacity to deliver basic services, a deterioration of its health system, and a serious and growing HIV/AIDS problem.
The United States and Papua New Guinea have enjoyed a close friendship, and the U.S. Government seeks to enhance Papua New Guinea's stability as a U.S. partner. The two countries work together on many issues from improving transparency and good governance, to combating trafficking in persons, curbing the effects of climate change, protecting fisheries, and promoting gender equality. Their militaries have had a cooperative security assistance relationship that has focused primarily on joint humanitarian exercises and the training of Papua New Guinean military personnel.
U.S. Assistance to Papua New Guinea
U.S. assistance funds an HIV/AIDS project in Papua New Guinea and aims to advance the country's public health system. The United States also supports Papua New Guinea's efforts to protect biodiversity; it contributes to the Coral Triangle Initiative to preserve coral reefs, fisheries, and food security in six countries including Papua New Guinea. In 2012 the United States provided funding for relief efforts in a number of Papua New Guinea's provinces that had suffered from natural disasters caused by continuous heavy rain. The U.S. Agency for International Development's Pacific Islands Regional Office is located in Papua New Guinea.
U.S. military forces, through Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii, provide training to the Papua New Guinea Defense Force and have held small-scale joint training exercises. The United States provides police and other education and training courses to national security officials.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Petroleum and mining machinery and aircraft have been the strongest U.S. exports to Papua New Guinea. The United States imports modest amounts of gold, copper ore, cocoa, coffee, and other agricultural products from Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Government's Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative is expanding Papua New Guinea's ability to manage its resource flows effectively and in conformity with international best practices. The ExxonMobil-led construction of a liquefied natural gas pipeline is expected to increase revenue streams for the government. Papua New Guinea is a party to the U.S.-Pacific Islands Multilateral Tuna Fisheries Treaty, under which the United States grants $18 million per year to Pacific Island parties and the latter provide access for U.S. fishing vessels.
Papua New Guinea's Membership in International Organizations
Papua New Guinea and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, ASEAN Regional Forum, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program. Papua New Guinea also belongs to the Pacific Islands Forum, of which the United States is a Dialogue Partner.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is Walter North; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Papua New Guinea maintains an embassy in the United States at 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202-745-3680).
More information about Papua New Guinea is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Papua New Guinea Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Papua New Guinea Page
U.S. Embassy: Papua New Guinea
USAID Pacific Islands Page
History of U.S. Relations With Papua New Guinea
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Travel and Business Information