Prime Minister Hon. James Marape is set to embark on a significant Official Visit to the State of Israel, scheduled from September 4-6, 2023.

This marks his inaugural journey to the Holy Land, and he is eager to foster substantial development collaborations.

The pivotal moment of this Official Visit will be the inauguration of the new Papua New Guinea Embassy in Jerusalem, symbolising the strengthening ties between the two nations.

The relationship between Papua New Guinea and the State of Israel has grown steadily since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in May 1978.

In addition to the growing annual religious pilgrimages by Papua New Guineans, Prime Minister Marape aims to leverage the occasion to secure Israeli support for large-scale agricultural initiatives, hydro and solar energy projects, information communication technology, fisheries, higher education, and security cooperation.

While in Israel, Prime Minister Marape will address an exclusive business round table attended by Israeli investors and entrepreneurs. The focus will be on elucidating PNG’s economic landscape and the government’s strategy to capitalise on downstream processes and add value to the nation’s abundant renewable and non-renewable resources.

Israeli investment in PNG is already evidenced through innovative agricultural endeavors, including a hydroponic farm at Nine-Mile and a dairy farm at Illimo in Port Moresby, along with agricultural projects in the Southern Highlands Province.

It’s important to highlight a significant Prime Ministerial Visit in October 2015, during which a Joint Declaration of Cooperation (JDC) was established with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This outlined collaborative efforts in fields spanning agriculture, hydro and solar energy, fisheries, higher education, ‘learning by doing internship’ programmes’ in agriculture, and healthcare.

Furthermore, a Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports was formalised in 2013.

Accompanying Prime Minister Marape on this significant journey is his spouse, Rachael, as well as select senior Ministers responsible for trade and investment, energy, and agriculture.