The Independent State of Papua New Guinea is Australia's closest neighbour, with less than four kilometres separating it from Australia at the nearest point.
Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with over 800 languages and hundreds of indigenous ethnic groups.
Papua New Guinea has experienced over a decade of comparatively robust economic growth, with expanding formal employment opportunities and strong growth in government expenditure and revenues. This economic performance was driven by high international prices for Papua New Guinea's exports, conservative fiscal policies and construction activity related to LNG projects.
Recently however, lower commodity prices and successive budget deficits have created fiscal pressure, and growth has slowed. Major planned resource projects are expected to restore economic growth in the medium term.
Australia is Papua New Guinea's largest trading and commercial partner, with bilateral trade worth AUD6.7 billion in 2018.
Papua New Guinea continues to confront considerable development challenges. Over 2 million Papua New Guineans (an estimated 27 per cent of the population) are poor and/or face hardship. With around 80 per cent of Papua New Guineans residing in traditional rural communities, the majority secure their livelihoods from subsistence gardens and small-scale cash cropping.
Powering homes and businesses in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe and East New Britain provinces
Investing in greater access to electricity
Upgrading ports across Papua New Guinea
Supporting sustainable maritime infrastructure
Maintaining the Wau Highway in Papua New Guinea
Supporting improved roads
Australian High Commission, Port Moresby
Godwit Road (Waigani)
Port Moresby NCD
Tel +675 7090 0100