Papua New Guinea

25 August 2024
The author on his latest adventure, a 3,000-kilometer ride through Sumatra, the largest island fully inside Indonesian territory. This photo was taken at sunset at a viewpoint overlooking Lake Maninjau in West Sumatra province. (All photos courtesy of Ian Lloyd Neubauer)
Papua New Guinea's national census was initially due to take just two weeks starting in June, but the government has announced it will now not be completed until some time in 2025.
Opinion

Papua New Guinea's census process is a quagmire of epic proportions

International donors must pressure government to be transparent

14 August 2024
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape speaks during an interview in Tokyo on July 17. (Photo by Tokuyuki Matsubuchi)
Interview

Papua New Guinea seeks free trade talks with Japan, PM says

Marape eyes agreement as part of expanded trade ties with Tokyo

17 July 2024
Marcus Ong, second from left, managing director of Niugini Resources and Investments, with members of a community in Papua New Guinea. (Photo by Niugini Resources and Investments)
Commodities

Singapore company launches mining venture in Papua New Guinea

CEO calls Pacific nation 'very blessed' despite civil unrest, U.S.-China tussle

23 June 2024
A refinery in Marin, Switzerland: Mines in Papua New Guinea now send their gold overseas for processing. 
Opinion

Papua New Guinea's planned gold monopoly will weigh economy down

Key export sector to be damaged by deal with mysterious Singapore company

24 April 2024
This handout picture released by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary on Feb. 19 shows officials patrolling near the town of Wabag, 600 kilometres northwest of the capital Port Moresby. 
Politics

Dozens killed in violence-plagued Papua New Guinea ambush

Illegal high-powered weapons worsening tribal conflict, says analyst

19 February 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, greets Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at Parliament House in Canberra on Feb. 8. (AAP Image via AP)
International relations

PNG's Marape hails close ties in Australia speech as China seeks inroads

Address follows reports Beijing wants a security deal with the Pacific state

8 February 2024
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin
Your Week in Asia

Cambodian PM in Thailand, Taylor Swift visits Asia, Pakistan election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

4 February 2024
A man shows the damage on Jan. 11 after looters tore through a shopping center in Port Moresby. The riots began after police walked off the job over a pay dispute.
Politics

Riots underline Papua New Guinea's social and economic fragility

Looting in Port Moresby follows decades of urban squalor and neglect

19 January 2024
Looters amid the unrest in Papua New Guinea's capital of Port Moresby on Jan. 10.
Politics

Papua New Guinea's Marape faces calls to quit over deadly unrest

At least 16 reportedly killed amid violence and looting as police strike over pay

11 January 2024
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape speak to reporters in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby on July 27. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. to deploy coast guard ship to Papua New Guinea next month

Defense chief Austin vows to deepen bilateral cooperation with eye on China

27 July 2023
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will visit Papua New Guinea in late July, the first-ever visit to the country by a sitting head of the Pentagon. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
Defense

U.S. military to use Papua New Guinea naval base for 15 years

Pentagon chief to make rare visit to Pacific island nation as China steps up outreach

21 July 2023
State-owned Bank of China has applied for a commercial operating license in Papua New Guinea, pledging to play a role in revitalizing the economy.
Indo-Pacific

Bank of China chairman visits PNG amid Sino-U.S. rivalry

Trip follows island nation's defense pact with Washington

2 June 2023
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape, left, late on May 21.
International relations

Modi extends 'Global South' outreach to Pacific islands after G-7

Indian PM 'forcefully' made developing world's case at rich nations' summit

22 May 2023
Joe Biden still plans to depart on Wednesday for a Group of Seven leaders summit in Hiroshima, Japan. He plans to return to the U.S. on Sunday after the summit. 
Indo-Pacific

Biden cancels Quad visit to Australia to focus on debt limit talks

Historic Papua New Guinea trip also off the table in diplomatic setback

17 May 2023
Fishermen in Karachi: The Delta Blue Carbon mangrove restoration project in Pakistan has had a positive impact on the local fishery community.
Opinion

Rows over Asian carbon credits overlook project benefits

Efforts to offset emissions can benefit communities most in need

30 March 2023
Left: Bilums from the author's collection made of traditional bark and sisal fibers, with the odd daub or strip of modern color in two cases. Right: A bilum trader at Port Moresby's Four Mile handicraft market makes a bilum out of modern materials while waiting for customers. (All photos by Hamish McDonald)
Tea Leaves

Papua New Guinea's 'bilums' weave together function, fashion

Traditional string bags find buyers in Sydney and New York

18 January 2023
Queen Elizabeth II passes onlookers in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 23, 1972.
International relations

Queen Elizabeth's soft power in Asia went beyond the Commonwealth

New U.K. King Charles III faces struggle to match mother's ties in region

13 September 2022
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape speaks in parliament after he was sworn in for his second term in Port Moresby on August 9.
Politics

Papua New Guinea PM faces uncertain future after election disarray

Marape expected to take protectionist stance on foreign investment

23 August 2022
Disinformation from some of Asia's ruling elites can thrive on Facebook, TikTok and Twitter due to inequality-driven distrust and democratic declines, new academic research says. (Source photo by AP and Reuters)
Politics

Viral lies spread democratic decay from Thailand to Nepal: report

Asia needs structural change, not just tech crackdown, USAID-backed scholars say

9 January 2022
This street in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara is strewn with rubble on Nov. 26. 
International relations

Papua New Guinea joins Australia effort to calm Solomon Islands

Some 50 police officers arrive in capital of Honiara after 3 days of protests

27 November 2021
Communities that live along Papua New Guinea's snaking Sepik River have a deep, even spiritual connection to the waterway. They say an ambitious mine project threatens the river.
Asia Insight

China-backed mining deepens Papua New Guinea's golden dilemma

COVID raises economic need but history of disputes and Beijing's rise fuel opposition

24 August 2021
Australian officials deliver thousands of initial AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on March 23.
Coronavirus

Australia vaccine diplomacy tested as COVID slams Papua New Guinea

Vying with China for Pacific influence, Quad member aims to win over skeptics

31 March 2021
Rambutso Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. (Photo by Hans Kemp)
Environment

Singapore startup seeks to preserve Papua New Guinea biodiversity

Ecoshare uses lease scheme to support local people and promote conservation

6 March 2021
A LNG carrier is docked at the ExxonMobil PNG operated plant at Caution Bay, Papua New Guinea in November 2018: the local people have seen very little of the promised benefits.
Opinion

Papua New Guinea a warning for poor nations rich in natural resources

Developing countries often do not profit from wealth lying under the ground

12 January 2021