Wednesday 17 July 2024
Leaders of Pacific Island Countries pose for a group photo at the Japanese national parliament, the National Diet, this morning. Photograph: Department of PM & NEC Media.
Tokyo, Japan: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape arrived in Tokyo, Japan, for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) with Japanese Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida.
The PALM10 is held from Tuesday 16 July to Thursday 18 July 2024.
Prime Minister Marape arrived at Henada Airport on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his wife, Mrs Rachael Marape; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko and his officials.
The Prime Minister then proceeded to the National Diet (Japanese National Parliament) for a family photograph session with other leaders of the Pacific Island countries before attending several bilateral and group meetings yesterday.
He also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the State Building, as a prelude to the main PALM10 summit.
Mr Marape further expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida during their bilateral meeting for Japan’s immediate support to the Mulitaka landslide disaster relief, whilst reaffirming Papua New Guinea’s commitment to its bilateral relations with Japan.
He said, “Japan continues to remain a true friend of Papua New Guinea both in good times and bad times, stating, “The assistance Japan has given worth over K3 million to assist our people affected by the landslide in Enga Province is timely and highly appreciated.
“Japan has always been with us and continues to honour its commitment to our people. Our trade and bilateral relations continue to grow every year, and we value Japan’s support in funding major transport and communications infrastructure in PNG,” he added.
Mr Marape reassured Prime Minister Kishida that his people and government sincerely value Japan’s support since Independence in 1975 when both countries established diplomatic relations.
“Our relationship has become stronger over the 49 years of its existence, and as PNG turns 50 in 2025, our relation will also turn 50 years old,” said Prime Minister Marape as he extended a verbal invitation to the Japanese Prime Minister to visit PNG in September 2025 to join in the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The PALM10 commenced on Tuesday 16 July 2024, with bilateral meetings and continues with the summit-proper on today (Wednesday 17 July) and Thursday 18 July 2024 before closing.
Either in bilateral meetings or as the collective with Japan, key issues of discussions are focused on climate change, trade, fisheries, nuclear waste disposal, security, disaster response and related bilateral and multilateral matters.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi hosted a welcome reception for the leaders last night (Tuesday 16).
Today’s program covers the summit and a banquet at the Akasaka Imperial Palace which will be hosted by the Japanese Prime Minister and his spouse for the Pacific family of nations.
Mr Marape’s official delegation includes Minister for Agriculture, Hon. John Boito; Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Jelta Wong; Vice Minister for State-owned Enter prises, Hon. Raphael Tonpi; and Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu.
Prime Minister Marape and delegation will return to Papua New Guinea on Friday, 19 July 2024.
Prime Minister Hon James Marape and Japanese Prime Minister Mr Fumio Kishida had a fruitful discussions during a bilateral meeting at Mr Kishida’s Office in Tokyo on Tuesday 16 July 2024.