Papua New Guinea (PNG) is looking at forging a new relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an expected historic agreement signing in September 2025. The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, made this announcement in a press conference this afternoon in Port Moresby city, stating that it will start the country’s new journey fifty (50) years onwards. “Papua New Guinea will finally break into the Arab world through the United Arab Emirates by entering into a new diplomatic and trade and investment partnership in a scale and scope never undertaking by PNG with its bilateral partners over the last 50 years,” said Minster Maru. “Not only is the UAE keen on supporting the PNG Government to establish an embassy in Abu Dhabi to formalize diplomatic relationship, but they want to anchor the relationship on trade and investment by entering into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with PNG. This was sealed during the recent visit of a small trade delegation to Abu Dhabi by Minister Maru last week. During the two-day visit, Minister Maru had high- level bilateral meetings with the UAE’s Minister for Foreign Trade, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and UAE’s Minsiter of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Department of International Trade and Investment, Jacinta Warakai Manua said these agreements are expected to be signed by the 3rd of September, are the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) and the Air Service Agreement (ASA) between PNG and UAE. The IPPA and ASA Agreements are prerequisites for a CEPA to be signed between PNG and UAE and the establishment of a PNG Embassy in Abu Dhabi. This is so both countries can demonstrate their genuineness and commitment to enter into long- term partnership. “The UAE is keen to sign the CEPA with PNG before the end of this year; however, this will only eventuate after the prolonged IPPA and ASA,” said Minister Maru. He also made it clear that the draft agreements are currently on the PNG side for their comments. As such, he is calling on the key departments responsible including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of International Trade and Investment, Department of Transport, Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and the National Trade Office to finalize the Draft text of the Agreements in the next two weeks so the signing can eventual on September 3rd during the conclusion of the upcoming 2nd PNG Special Economic Zone Summit.