Ukraine and Papua New Guinea Establish Diplomatic Relations: A New Chapter in International Partnerships
In a significant development aimed at expanding international cooperation and strengthening diplomatic ties, Ukraine and Papua New Guinea officially announced the establishment of diplomatic relations.
This event took place during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, when foreign ministers Andriy Sybiga and Justin Tkachanko signed a joint communique formalizing a new phase in their countries’ diplomatic engagement.
According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, this step is more than just a formality; it is a vital signal of intentions to deepen cooperation in strategic areas such as global food security, digital technology development, and humanitarian initiatives.
Sybiga emphasized Kyiv’s desire to build mutually beneficial partnerships that can foster growth and stability for both nations.
He also expressed gratitude to Tkachanko for ongoing support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting the symbolic and practical importance of this collaboration.
Notably, this milestone aligns with Ukraine’s broader efforts to expand diplomatic contacts within Oceania, especially with nations that have substantial resource potential and security interests.
It is worth noting that back in November 2022, Ukraine and Papua New Guinea began internal procedures to formalize diplomatic relations, as announced by Ukraine’s then Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Tkachanko, a naturalized citizen of Papua New Guinea since 2006, was born in Australia to Ukrainian émigré parents, underlining the multicultural character of these diplomatic ties.
Papua New Guinea, situated in the Pacific, includes the islands of New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, and parts of the Solomon Islands, sharing borders only with Indonesia and washing shores with the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Its capital city is Port Moresby.
Developing diplomatic relations with such countries is a strategic move for Ukraine, opening new avenues for partnerships in resource development, security, and international cooperation.