After a tribal welcome to the mountains of Papua New Guinea, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spent the night camping on the Kokoda Track in an Anzac Day trek aimed at drawing the two countries closer.

Kokoda

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese embarked on a significant journey along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, marking an Anzac Day trek. After receiving a tribal welcome in the mountains, Albanese spent the night at Deneke Campground, camping on the historic trail. This event aims to foster closer ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Anthony Albanese, along with James Marape, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, trekked for several hours to reach the Deneke Campground, located in the Owen Stanley Ranges. Their journey, which involved climbing hundreds of metres in elevation, was met with warm receptions from villages along the track. The leaders were greeted with flowers, songs, and stories, signifying the respect and friendship between the two nations.

Accompanied by the Governor of Oro Province, security personnel, advisers, porters, and members of the media, the Prime Ministers are set to attend an Anzac Day dawn service at Isarava Village. This service, attracting as many as 400 attendees, will commemorate the critical 1942 battle on the Kokoda Track, a site of shared historical significance for both countries.

The joint trek by the leaders of Australia and Papua New Guinea underscores a commitment to acknowledge their shared history, promote peace, and strengthen bilateral relations. Amidst growing regional influence by China, this venture represents an effort to cement personal and diplomatic bonds between Anthony Albanese and James Marape, enhancing friendship and cooperation between their nations.



Prime Minister walking the Kokoda Track

Here in the Owen Stanley Ranges on the Kokoda Track, both Prime Ministers of Australia and Papua New Guinea, Anthony Albanese and James Murape, have spent the night under stars camping here at Deneke Campground after hiking for several hours yesterday up to this site and climbing several hundred metres in elevation. They were welcomed as they passed through villages along the track with flowers, songs and stories. They were joined on this trek by the local Governor of Oro Province as well as a phalanx of security, advisers, porters and us in the media too. They'll continue towards Isarava Village for an Anzac Day dawn service tomorrow where as many as 400 people will commemorate a pivotal battle on the Kokoda Track in 1942. Now the purpose for this unprecedented joint trek has been made clear by both leaders. They want to acknowledge a shared history, to embody the friendship of the two nations and to promote peace in the region. At a time when China is looking to increase its influence in the region, the personal friendship being forged on these muddy tracks between Anthony Albanese and James Murape helps build a closer relationship between the two countries.

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