Papua New Guinea is home to the world’s third-largest rainforest, after the Amazon and the Congo, a haven for biodiversity.
The Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Papua New GuineaMelanesia+6:00Hours ahead of the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, Papua New Guinea Sign Language
National CurrencyPapua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
National Day(s)16 September (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalPort Moresby
Economic CapitalPort Moresby
Cultural CapitalPort Moresby
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 14 – 17 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportJacksons International Airport (POM)
Primary PortPort of Lae
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline5,152 km
Highest PointMount Wilhelm (4,509 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverSepik River
ClimateTropical; hot, humid and rainy year-round with monsoon influence
Border Countries
Indonesia
1Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Papua New Guinea is the only home of Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, the world’s largest butterfly, with a wingspan of up to 25 cm.
Papua New Guinea’s hooded pitohui was the first poisonous bird ever documented by science, carrying a toxin in its skin and feathers.
Papua New Guinea has more than 600 islands, each with unique landscapes and ecosystems.
Papua New Guinea’s Kuk Early Agricultural Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the few places in the world where agriculture developed independently, around 7,000 years ago.
Papua New Guinea lies within the Coral Triangle, the world’s richest marine region, home to more than three-quarters of all known coral species.
The dugong, also known as the sea cow, can be found in the coastal waters of Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea’s Lihir Island hosts one of the world’s largest gold deposits, inside the crater of an extinct volcano.
More than 800 languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is home to many species of birds of paradise, famous for their colorful feathers and elaborate courtship displays.
Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so it has many active volcanoes and experiences frequent earthquakes.
Papua New Guinea is home to Paedophryne amauensis, a frog just 7.7 mm long and one of the smallest known vertebrates on Earth.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Papua New GuineaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Sir Bob Dadae
Since February 2017
H.E. James Marape
Since May 2019
H.E. Justin Tkatchenko
Since January 2024
H.E. Thomas Opa
Since May 2025
H.E. Richard Maru
Since August 2022
H.E. James Marape
Since April 2026
Political Summary
Political System
Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy
The King is represented by the Governor-General, while executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and the cabinet under a Westminster-style system inherited from Australia and the United Kingdom.
Ruling Party
Papua and Niugini Union (PANGU) (since 2019)
Main Opposition Force(s)
Opposition bloc led by James Nomane, Leader of the Opposition (since 2025)
Next Presidential Election
Not applicable (Hereditary)
Next Legislative Election
2027
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
48Organizations
32Member
0Founding Member
2Partner, Observer or Participant
14Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Papua New Guinea | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations22 Mar 20179 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Abdulnasser Jamal AlshaaliUAE Ambassador to Papua New Guinea · Non-residentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Frank AisiAmbassador of Papua New Guinea to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Papua New Guinea Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Papua New Guinea | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | Discussions Initiated. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | - | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | - | - |
ASAAir Services Agreement | - | - |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Papua New Guinea | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- Mr. Omar ShehadehEnvoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Caribbean and Pacific StatesMay2025
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign AffairsFeb2011
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. James MarapePrime Minister of Papua New GuineaFeb2026
- H.E. Richard MaruMinister of International Trade and Investment of Papua New GuineaJul2025
- H.E. James MarapePrime Minister of Papua New GuineaDec2023
- H.E. Simo KilepaMinister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change of Papua New GuineaDec2023
- H.E. Sam BasilDeputy Prime Minister of Papua New GuineaFeb2022
- H.E. Timothy MasiuMinister of Information and Communications Technology of Papua New GuineaJan2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)-
Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Papua New Guinean Companies in the UAE
- -
Major UAE Companies in Papua New Guinea
DP World-
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research