Papua New Guinea and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties following a high-level meeting between Prime Minister James Marape and the newly appointed French Ambassador to PNG, Pierre Fournier. During their discussion yesterday, the two leaders emphasized shared priorities, including environmental conservation, security cooperation, trade, and investment. Prime Minister Marape welcomed Ambassador Fournier and acknowledged France’s vital role in PNG’s development. “France is an important partner to us. With President Macron’s vision for sustainable development, environmental conservation, and global cooperation aligns closely with our own priorities," Prime Minister Marape openly addressed. Ambassador Fournier reaffirmed France’s support for PNG’s conservation initiatives, referencing ongoing forestry and environmental projects initiated during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to PNG. He pledged to accelerate their implementation, stating, “France is eager to move forward on these initiatives. We will work closely with the PNG government to ensure swift progress.” The meeting also reviewed the PNG-France Security Agreement (SOFA), with Ambassador Fournier highlighting the upcoming visits of senior French military officials in March. These visits will focus on enhancing defense cooperation, particularly in maritime security, training, and regional stability. Prime Minister Marape underscored PNG’s strategic geopolitical position as a gateway between the Pacific and Southeast Asia, reinforcing the country’s aspirations to join ASEAN and strengthen partnerships with regional economic blocs like APEC. “Papua New Guinea is the only Pacific nation with proximity to Southeast Asia. This unique positioning enables us to foster regional collaboration and trade,” he noted, urging France’s support in boosting PNG’s economic development through investment in infrastructure and trade. To further solidify bilateral ties, Marape announced plans to appoint a new PNG Ambassador to France, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration. The meeting concluded with an invitation for Prime Minister Marape to attend the United Nations Conference on Oceans in June, where discussions will focus on biodiversity conservation and climate action. Ambassador Fournier also highlighted upcoming bilateral projects, including infrastructure financing and capacity-building initiatives. Reflecting on the discussions, Prime Minister Marape expressed optimism about the future of PNG-France relations. “I look forward to working closely with you, Ambassador Fournier, to build on the strong foundation of our partnership and take it to new heights in the coming years," the PM concluded.