The Australia–Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue is the flagship annual event of the Australia–PNG Network at the Lowy Institute.

The Australia-PNG Emerging Leaders Dialogue brings together twenty young leaders from PNG and Australia. Credit: Lowy Institute

The Australia–Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue brings together 20 young leaders from Papua New Guinea and Australia to explore pressing development and security issues affecting relations between the two countries. The program includes exchanges with experts, dialogues with leading academics and policymakers, opportunities for networking, site visits, and interactive learning activities over five days.

The 2025 Emerging Leaders Dialogue will be held in Port Moresby from 26th to 30th May.

This year’s theme is Shared History, Shared Future: The next 50 years of Australia-Papua New Guinea relations. 

The theme will be examined through a broad range of discussions across economic development, politics and society, defence, business, sport, arts, and social media.

Participants will have the opportunity to shape and identify the topics for discussion under the theme of the future of Australia-PNG relations. Participants’ insights will be documented in an Outcomes Report, which is launched and published on the Network’s website.

Participants will be drawn from a range of experience, expertise, industry, and society groups. We are interested in emerging leaders with a strong vision for shaping the future. In previous years, the Dialogue provided insight into youth, First Nations foreign policy, and digital connectivity.

The Aus–PNG Network will cover the cost of return airfares, accommodation, visa application fees, and transportation to and from activities for all participants.

Applications for the Dialogue are now open.

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of either Papua New Guinea or Australia;
• Hold a passport, if applying as an Australian citizen or resident;
• Be aged 40 years or younger at 1st December in the year of application; and
• Be able to demonstrate personal qualities and attributes to contribute to a stronger relationship between PNG and Australia.

How to apply

1. Write a short statement (no more than 250 words) in support of your application, including telling us about yourself and why you would like to participate in the Emerging Leaders Dialogue.
2. Email your statement, your current resumé, and contact details for a referee who can speak in support of your nomination, to auspngnetwork@lowyinstitute.org.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 31st January.

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