AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF SPAIN CALLS ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY MR. ELIAS WOHENGU.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Mr. Wohengu and Ambassador H.E. Esther Monterrubio during their meeting.
Port Moresby, 30 June 2025
The Ambassador-Designate of the Kingdom of Spain, Her Excellency Esther Monterrubio, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Elias Wohengu, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, following the formal presentation of her credentials to the Governor-General at Government House, Port Moresby on the 26th of June 2025.
During the meeting, Secretary Wohengu and Ambassador Monterrubio held constructive discussions on enhancing bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and Spain. They explored potential areas of cooperation, including climate change mitigation, tourism development, capacity building initiatives, and Foreign Service training.
Secretary Wohengu reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to deepening its engagement with Spain and welcomed the proposed avenues for collaboration. He highlighted climate change as a pressing regional issue, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific, and called for greater global solidarity in addressing the challenges posed by rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
“We hope that major economies and long-standing partners such as Spain will consider supporting Pacific Island nations in adaptation efforts, including land reclamation to safeguard vulnerable communities,” Secretary Wohengu said.
In the areas of capacity building, Secretary Wohengu welcomed Spain’s offer to support the professional development of PNG’s Foreign Service officers through diplomatic training programs. He noted the Department’s ongoing recruitment of new officers and emphasized the importance of such opportunities, including the potential for officers to study the Spanish language and enhance cross-cultural competencies.
The Secretary also underlined the importance of people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges. He acknowledged Spain’s status as one of Europe’s leading economies and a renowned destination for its architecture, heritage, and innovation. He expressed Papua New Guinea’s interest in learning from Spain’s experiences in tourism and sustainable development.
In closing, Secretary Wohengu reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with Spain and noted that the Department’s newly established Permanent Diplomatic Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, will play a key role in maintaining regular engagements with the Embassy of Spain and advancing shared interests going forward.
