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View all search resultsRI, OZ, PNG boost defense ties in first trilateral
Closer military engagement among the three neighboring countries will carry meaningful weight for regional stability. They pledged to broaden cooperation on shared security priorities and maintain regular dialogue to advance their “collective vision” for the Indo-Pacific.
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(From left to right) Indonesia’s defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin poses with his counterparts, PNG’s Billy Joseph and Australia’s Richard Marles, during their first trilateral meeting in Port Moresby on Dec. 3, 2025. (Documentation of the Defense Ministry/Documentation of the Defense Ministry)
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efense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on Wednesday joined his Australian and Papua New Guinean counterparts in Port Moresby for their inaugural trilateral meeting, held alongside the signing of a PNG-Australia pact and the culmination of Indonesia’s own bilateral defense negotiations with Canberra.
Closer military engagement among the three neighboring countries will carry meaningful weight for regional stability, the ministers said in a joint statement after their meeting. They pledged to broaden cooperation on shared security priorities and maintain regular dialogue to advance their “collective vision” for the Indo-Pacific.
Tightening neighborly bonds amid rising regional volatility was high on the agenda this week as Indonesia’s Sjafrie met with Australia’s Richard Marles and PNG’s Billy Joseph, with talks centering on enhancing practical cooperation and strengthening defense dialogue.
According to the joint statement, the ministers explored cooperation in areas including maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Sjafrie, accompanied by several delegates including deputy commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Gen. Tandyo Budi Revita, emphasized during his remarks the strategic value of good neighborly relations.
“We understand the importance of this meeting. From here, we can enhance and develop cooperation among Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea," he said, noting the more often neighbors meet, the stronger their sense of kinship becomes.
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