Port Moresby was alive with color, music, and the spirit of unity on 16 September 2025, as Papua New Guinea (PNG) marked its 50th year of independence. This golden jubilee celebration was not just a national milestone; it was a moment that placed the Pacific nation at the center of regional and global attention. Leaders, dignitaries, and cultural icons gathered to honor half a century since PNG emerged from Australian administration in 1975. Among the distinguished guests was Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, whose presence symbolized more than neighborly respect. It reflected Jakarta’s renewed commitment to deepening ties with PNG and strengthening its diplomatic footprint across the Pacific.
For Indonesia, the golden jubilee was an opportunity to reaffirm its position as a trusted regional partner. For Gibran, it was a chance to step onto the Pacific stage as one of the youngest leaders in Southeast Asia, bringing both continuity and a fresh vision to Indonesia’s diplomacy.
The Atmosphere of a Golden Jubilee
Port Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium became the epicenter of jubilee celebrations. Thousands filled the stands, draped in the national colors of black, red, and gold. Traditional dancers performed in elaborate headdresses and body paint, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of drums that echoed the spirit of Melanesia. Parades of cultural groups highlighted PNG’s extraordinary diversity—home to over 800 languages, it is the most linguistically diverse country on Earth.
Prime Minister James Marape welcomed international leaders with warmth and pride. Alongside regional heads of government were representatives from major powers, signaling PNG’s rising importance in global diplomacy. The celebrations transcended politics: global music star Akon performed to cheering crowds, underlining the nation’s ambition to merge tradition with modern identity.
In the midst of this spectacle, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s arrival carried a special symbolism. His presence was not simply about representation—it was about deepening a relationship rooted in geography, culture, and shared aspirations.
Gibran’s Mission in the Pacific
Since taking office in early 2025, Gibran has emerged as a fresh face in Indonesia’s leadership. At only 38, he embodies generational change, yet he also carries political weight as the son of President Joko Widodo. His visit to Papua New Guinea on 15-16 September 2025 was his first official state mission to Port Moresby, and it came with a clear agenda: to reinforce Indonesia’s strategic partnership with PNG and to project Jakarta’s broader vision of engagement with the Pacific.
The mission had three central goals:
- Strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced trade, border cooperation, and development projects.
- Consolidating Indonesia’s role in Pacific diplomacy, ensuring its voice is heard in regional platforms like the Pacific Islands Forum.
- Promoting people-to-people ties between communities in Indonesia’s Papua region and their kin in PNG, nurturing a sense of cultural unity across borders.
This was not merely ceremonial diplomacy. It was a deliberate step to anchor Indonesia firmly within the Pacific family of nations.
Neighbors Shaped by Geography and History
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea share more than a 760-kilometer land border across New Guinea Island. They share intertwined histories, kinship ties, and common challenges. Families and tribes live on both sides of the border, connected by trade, language, and culture that predate modern state boundaries.
Since PNG’s independence in 1975, its leaders have stressed the need to maintain constructive relations with Indonesia, resisting external pressures that could disrupt bilateral trust. While occasional frictions have surfaced—particularly regarding border security and cross-border movement—both nations have consistently chosen cooperation over confrontation.
This cooperation was formalized in 2023, when Indonesia and PNG signed a declaration to establish a High-Level Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism. The mechanism created a platform to address key issues such as border trade, security, and development in a structured, predictable way. Gibran’s visit in 2025 demonstrated Jakarta’s commitment to ensuring that the mechanism is not just symbolic but practical and beneficial to both sides.
Bilateral Diplomacy in Port Moresby
During the jubilee, Gibran held meetings with Prime Minister Marape and other Pacific leaders. The discussions highlighted several critical areas:
- Border Trade and Infrastructure: Both governments recognized the potential of legal, structured cross-border trade, particularly between Jayapura in Indonesia and Vanimo in PNG. Improving roads, markets, and customs facilities would directly benefit local communities, reducing dependence on informal or illegal trade.
- Maritime Cooperation: As two countries with vast coastlines, Indonesia and PNG agreed to expand collaboration in fisheries management, maritime security, and the sustainable use of ocean resources.
- Education and Cultural Exchange: Initiatives to increase scholarships for PNG students in Indonesian universities and vice versa were discussed, alongside joint cultural festivals that celebrate the Melanesian heritage shared by both nations.
These areas of cooperation align with Indonesia’s broader foreign policy strategy known as “Pacific Elevation,” which seeks to reposition Jakarta not merely as a Southeast Asian state but as an integral member of the Pacific community.
Meet Indonesian Diaspora and Navy Personnel
On his official visit to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka took time to meet with the Indonesian diaspora and Navy personnel stationed in Port Moresby. The gathering, hosted at the Indonesian Embassy became more than a formality—it was a moment of dialogue and reassurance for citizens living beyond the archipelago.Joined by senior officers from the Indonesian Navy’s Port Visit 2025 task force, Gibran listened as community members shared concerns about education, employment, and cross-border trade. He responded by outlining Jakarta’s commitment to improving infrastructure in eastern Indonesia, including new schools, hospitals, and government services in Merauke and Jayapura. Scholarships for Papua New Guinean students were also highlighted as a bridge of friendship.
PNG as Indonesia’s Gateway to the Pacific
For Indonesia, Papua New Guinea is more than a neighbor—it is the bridge to the wider Pacific. Through stronger ties with Port Moresby, Jakarta can engage more effectively with organizations like the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Islands Forum. This outreach is crucial as the Pacific becomes a theater of geopolitical competition involving China, Australia, the United States, and other powers.
Prime Minister Marape has described Indonesia as a “strategic brother,” emphasizing shared interests and mutual respect. His decision to invite both Vice President Gibran and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to the jubilee highlighted the importance PNG attaches to Jakarta’s friendship. For Port Moresby, deepening ties with Indonesia means greater access to investment, infrastructure development, and a stronger voice in international affairs.
Cultural Diplomacy: Unity in Diversity Across Borders
Gibran’s visit also carried strong cultural undertones. The bond between Indonesia’s Papuan provinces and PNG is more than geographic—it is cultural and spiritual. Both societies embrace diversity as a source of strength. Indonesia’s national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), resonates deeply with PNG’s own motto of “Unity in Diversity.”
During the celebrations, cultural performances from PNG mirrored traditions familiar in Papua and West Papua, reminding both nations of their shared heritage. By investing in cultural diplomacy—through joint festivals, art exhibitions, and academic exchanges—Indonesia and PNG can strengthen people-to-people connections that transcend political boundaries.
Navigating Challenges in a Shifting Pacific Landscape
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Cross-border smuggling, illegal trade, and security issues occasionally strain relations. Economic disparities between communities in Papua and PNG require innovative solutions to ensure that development benefits both sides fairly. And as global powers jostle for influence in the Pacific, Indonesia must carefully balance national interests with regional solidarity.
Yet Gibran’s visit underscored a willingness to face these challenges head-on. By prioritizing dialogue, infrastructure, and cultural cooperation, Jakarta and Port Moresby can transform potential flashpoints into opportunities for growth and mutual trust.
A New Face of Indonesian Diplomacy
One of the most striking aspects of Gibran’s participation was his youth and demeanor. Unlike many seasoned leaders, his presence signaled a generational shift in Indonesia’s political class. His outreach in Port Moresby showed a style of diplomacy that was approachable, collaborative, and forward-looking. For Pacific leaders, this was not only refreshing but also reassuring, as it indicated Indonesia’s intent to engage with the region for decades to come.
The symbolism of his presence alongside global stars and regional leaders sent a clear message: Indonesia is not a distant neighbor confined to Southeast Asia—it is part of the Pacific family.
Conclusion
As fireworks lit up Port Moresby’s skyline to mark PNG’s 50 years of independence, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s visit stood as a milestone in Indonesia-Pacific relations. His presence was more than diplomatic courtesy; it was a deliberate gesture of solidarity, partnership, and long-term commitment.
For Papua New Guinea, the golden jubilee was a proud moment to showcase its unity despite its diversity, its resilience despite challenges, and its aspirations for the future. For Indonesia, standing alongside PNG at such a historic moment reaffirmed Jakarta’s belief that the Pacific is not a periphery but a shared home.
The road ahead will require careful management of challenges, but the foundations are strong. With shared values, cultural ties, and economic opportunities, Indonesia and PNG are poised to craft a model of regional partnership. And at the heart of this new chapter is the youthful Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, representing a new era where Indonesia looks not only to Asia but also firmly to the Pacific.