A bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress visited Papua New Guinea this week for talks with government officials and representatives of the business community and civil society.
The congressional delegation met with Prime Minister James Marape, Speaker Job Pomat, Mineral Resources Authority officials and members of the American Chamber of Commerce during their visit from August 10 – 12.
The United States has enjoyed bilateral relations with PNG since independence, on the basis of shared values, and a shared future.
“We regularly work together in the areas of defense cooperation, economic development, especially through investments of American companies such as ExxonMobil and Newmont, and citizen diplomacy such as the newly established Sister Cities between Port Moresby and Long Beach California, and Madang and Poplar Wisconsin,” the US Embassy in Port Moresby said.
Congressman Coons added: “I’m proud to be in Port Moresby as we honor 50 years of independence in Papua New Guinea this year, and 50 years of bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and the United States. I’m grateful for the opportunity to discuss how we can deepen the partnership between our nations on everything from shared security goals to economic prosperity.”
US Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock said: “We are pleased to welcome the bipartisan congressional delegation to Papua New Guinea.
“The team at the US Embassy has been dedicated to identifying areas for collaboration between the United States and Papua New Guinea, and we were pleased to showcase the importance of this bilateral relationship to our Members of Congress.”
The bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation is led by Senator Coons and included Senator Peters, and Representatives Turner, Sewell, and Dean.