Papua New Guinea-Australia-Indonesia: Trilateral meeting unlikely to produce policy changes in the short term
On 4 December, defence ministers of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Australia, and Indonesia convened their first trilateral defence ministers’ meeting in Port Moresby. They discussed cooperation on border management, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and defence capability development. The meeting followed Indonesia’s recent concern regarding the Australia-PNG Pukpuk Treaty, which Jakarta stated could heighten regional tensions. Separately, PNG raised concerns over unrest in West Papua, citing reports of violence and human rights violations with potential cross-border implications. While acknowledging West Papua as Indonesia’s internal matter, PNG proposed the establishment of a 10-kilometre buffer zone along the PNG-Indonesia border as a demilitarised zone, to be monitored through joint patrol posts staffed by both PNG and Indonesian forces.
Assessment: The meeting is unlikely to produce immediate policy changes but rather allow Australia and PNG to clarify that the Pukpuk Treaty is not directed at Indonesia. The informal nature of the meeting suggests a gradual development rather than rapid operational changes. While the buffer zone proposal is unlikely to advance in its current form, improved information-sharing, coordinated patrols, and enhanced incident management will likely address PNG’s desired outcomes regarding the demilitarised zone.
Sources: Marian Faa and Stephen Dziedzic, “Papua New Guinea calls for 'buffer zone' with Indonesia amid concerns over West Papua conflict,” RNZ, 3 December 2025; Antoinette Poivi, “Three-nation meeting enhances peace, stability: Minister,” The National, 4 December 2025.
