Consultations between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government

13 June 2025, Burnham, New Zealand

Defining a Melanesian Partnership

From 6-15 June 2025 representatives of the Autonomous Bougainville Government  (ABG) and the National Government  of Papua New Guinea (PNG) met at the historically significant Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch, New Zealand. Joint Consultations, convened by Independent Moderator Sir Jerry Mateparae, aim to build agreement on a political pathway to implement  the outcome  of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum. Prime Minister James Marape and ABG President  H.E. Ishmael Toroama opened the consultations, signaling the importance of this consultation, at a critical moment in the Bougainville peace process.

Over five days of deliberation  at the military base, the parties discussed their shared values and commitments. Delegates recognized the need for a   pathway to peace through peaceful means” that is home-grown and maintains a close, peaceful and enduring familial relationship between PNG and Bougainville; shaping  what the delegations came to describe as a Melanesian Partnership”.

Parties agreed on core elements of the proposed future political relationship and how to work with parliament  for taking their agreement forward, including the integral role to be played by the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville.

Discussions were conducted in an open and frank atmosphere, indicative  of a willingness on all sides  to engage constructively in identifying a shared pathway forward.

Talks concluded with the endorsement of a proposed  Melanesian relationship agreement  that will be taken to the leaders  of PNG and ABG during the last week of June.

The parties and the Independent Moderator, Sir Jerry Mateparae expressed deep appreciation for the support of the Government and People of Aotearoa New Zealand  and the United Nations.