Overview

• Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and James Marape confirmed agreement on the Pukpuk Treaty text that elevates ties to an Alliance with a mutual‑defense commitment.
• Planned signing was delayed after Papua New Guinea’s Cabinet failed to meet quorum, and the leaders instead endorsed the deal in a joint communique.
• The treaty outlines expanded cooperation on capability, interoperability and integration, including a proposed recruitment pathway for PNG citizens into the Australian Defence Force.
• The agreement includes safeguards to ensure third‑party activities do not compromise implementation and reaffirms respect for regional sovereignty.
• China urged PNG to avoid an exclusive pact that limits third‑party cooperation, while Marape rejected any Chinese role in the delay and flagged briefings for regional partners.