Papua New Guinea and the Czech Republic have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with discussions focusing on political engagement, trade and investment, development cooperation, healthcare, renewable energy and cooperation in multilateral forums.

The commitment was reaffirmed during a bilateral meeting between Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea, and Hon. Petr Macinka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, on Tuesday 23^rd of September 2026 on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the longstanding and friendly relations between the two countries, which established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1988, initially with the former Czechoslovakia, and to identify practical opportunities to further strengthen cooperation.

Minister Tkatchenko welcomed the opportunity to enhance political dialogue and encouraged more regular engagement between the two Foreign Ministries. He also highlighted the potential to expand economic and investment cooperation, including greater access for PNG products such as vanilla, coffee and tuna to the Czech market, and Czech investment and technical partnerships in renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture, agro-processing and fisheries.

Healthcare cooperation was highlighted as another area for further engagement. Minister Tkatchenko welcomed the Czech Republic’s technical contribution to the development and modernisation of Goroka Provincial Hospital in Eastern Highlands Province, and seeks further cooperation in institutional partnerships.

The Czech Republic raised its candidature for election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2032–2033 term. Minister Tkatchenko noted and acknowledged the candidature and welcomed continued dialogue on matters of mutual interest within the UN system. PNG noted that any consideration of the candidature would be subject to the Government’s established processes and procedures.

Minister Tkatchenko also encouraged the Czech Republic, as an EU Member State, to support greater consideration of Papua New Guinea and Pacific priorities within relevant EU discussions, particularly on climate change, development cooperation, trade and sustainable development.

Minister Tkatchenko reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s readiness to build on the longstanding friendship between the two countries and advance a more substantive, practical and mutually beneficial partnership.

The bilateral meeting underscored a shared vision to advance a more substantive, practical, and mutually beneficial partnership. Both nations remain dedicated to supporting sustainable development, expanding economic opportunities, improving healthcare infrastructure, and forging stronger people-to-people connections.