New Zealand and Papua New Guinea signed a defence cooperation agreement in Port Moresby on July 22-23, 2026, establishing expanded military dialogue, joint training and exercises, and closer maritime cooperation; Wellington framed the deal as a response to growing strategic competition and China's expanding regional footprint, with further joint sea patrols on the agenda

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea signed a defence cooperation agreement late on July 22, committing to expanded defence dialogue, training, and maritime cooperation as Wellington seeks to deepen Pacific security ties amid growing strategic competition and China's expanding influence

China publicly praised Papua New Guinea's decision to close Taiwan's representative office while Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the decision was made without consultation and lodged a formal protest; Taiwan's office continued normal operations, and Taipei Times reported the closure order may not reflect consensus within PNG's government

Papua New Guinea's foreign minister announced on July 16 that Port Moresby had decided to close Taiwan's representative office immediately; Beijing welcomed the move while Taipei said the decision was made without consultation and its office would remain open

James Marape announced a major cabinet reshuffle on July 17 alongside a comprehensive restructure of PNG's Treasury, Finance and Planning departments, framing it as a performance drive with under eight months to the next national election

The Pukpuk Treaty, Papua New Guinea's first formal defence alliance and Australia's first mutual defence pact in more than 70 years, came into force on July 9 as Prime Ministers James Marape and Anthony Albanese met in Brisbane; the pact covers intelligence sharing, logistics and training and includes a pathway for up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force, drawing criticism from China and a former PNG Defence Force commander over PNG's sovereignty

PNG's Papua LNG project (5.6 mtpa, Elk/Antelope gas fields) is targeting a 2026 final investment decision by TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Santos; landowner development forums in June-July are the gating event; Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila killed at least 25 in April across Bougainville and East New Britain