Australia, Papua New Guinea Delay Mutual Defense Treaty

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a flag-raising ceremony marking Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary in Port Moresby on September 16, 2025. (Photo by Andrew KUTAN / AFP)

Australia and Papua New Guinea will not sign a long-awaited mutual defense treaty as expected on Wednesday, the two countries said.

The deal was set to see the two nations commit to defending each other from armed attacks as they face “emerging threats” to their security, according to a copy seen by AFP.

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by Agence France-Presse

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