Message from Ambassador Nobuyuki WATANABE
2024/1/1
Dear all,
Happy New Year 2024.
As we begin the New Year, I would like to offer my greetings.
Last year, Papua New Guinea attracted more attention from the international community on various occasions, starting with the visit of Australian Prime Minister Albanese in January, followed by the first visit by Indian Prime Minister Modi (May), Indonesian President Joko (July), French President Macron (July), and the signing of a bilateral security agreement with the United States and Australia. The geopolitical importance of Papua New Guinea seems to have been reaffirmed.
The first port call by the Maritime Self-Defense Force IZUMO (July), the meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Marape at the APEC meeting in San Francisco (November), and other high-class frequent exchanges took place. Especially In October, the opening ceremony of the NADZAB Tomodachi International Airport was held, which strongly impressed the friendly relationship between the two countries.
In addition, business and people to people exchanges between the two countries has been gradually recovering, despite the inconvenience caused by the COVID-19 that has been continuing since 2020.
During my stay in Papua New Guinea, I have visited many places and met many people, I strongly feel the strength of the relationship that has been nurtured between Papua New Guinea and Japan, and the strong sense of friendship that many people in Papua New Guinea have for Japan. This is due to the continuous efforts of many people in industry, aid organizations, and education. I would like to express my gratitude and respect to all of you who are making daily efforts under the severe environment.
This year marks an important diplomatic milestone with the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders' Meeting (PALM 10), which Japan hosts every three years, and the 50th anniversary of JICA's economic cooperation with Papua New Guinea. In particular, PALM10 will be the first face-to-face meeting between Papua New Guinea and Japan since COVID-19 period, and we hope that the visit to Japan by Papua New Guinea government officials, including Prime Minister Marape, will be a new step in the future friendship between Japan and Papua New Guinea. friendly relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my hope that this year will be a good year for all of you, and that it will be a year of leaps and bounds like the dragon, the zodiac for this year.
1 January 2024
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Papua New Guinea
Nobuyuki Watanabe
Happy New Year 2024.
As we begin the New Year, I would like to offer my greetings.
Last year, Papua New Guinea attracted more attention from the international community on various occasions, starting with the visit of Australian Prime Minister Albanese in January, followed by the first visit by Indian Prime Minister Modi (May), Indonesian President Joko (July), French President Macron (July), and the signing of a bilateral security agreement with the United States and Australia. The geopolitical importance of Papua New Guinea seems to have been reaffirmed.
The first port call by the Maritime Self-Defense Force IZUMO (July), the meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Marape at the APEC meeting in San Francisco (November), and other high-class frequent exchanges took place. Especially In October, the opening ceremony of the NADZAB Tomodachi International Airport was held, which strongly impressed the friendly relationship between the two countries.
In addition, business and people to people exchanges between the two countries has been gradually recovering, despite the inconvenience caused by the COVID-19 that has been continuing since 2020.
During my stay in Papua New Guinea, I have visited many places and met many people, I strongly feel the strength of the relationship that has been nurtured between Papua New Guinea and Japan, and the strong sense of friendship that many people in Papua New Guinea have for Japan. This is due to the continuous efforts of many people in industry, aid organizations, and education. I would like to express my gratitude and respect to all of you who are making daily efforts under the severe environment.
This year marks an important diplomatic milestone with the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders' Meeting (PALM 10), which Japan hosts every three years, and the 50th anniversary of JICA's economic cooperation with Papua New Guinea. In particular, PALM10 will be the first face-to-face meeting between Papua New Guinea and Japan since COVID-19 period, and we hope that the visit to Japan by Papua New Guinea government officials, including Prime Minister Marape, will be a new step in the future friendship between Japan and Papua New Guinea. friendly relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my hope that this year will be a good year for all of you, and that it will be a year of leaps and bounds like the dragon, the zodiac for this year.
1 January 2024
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Papua New Guinea
Nobuyuki Watanabe