Balancing ‘friend to all and enemy to none’

PAPUA New Guinea, a resource-rich island nation in the South Pacific, has long proclaimed a foreign policy of being a “friend to all, enemy to none”.
This policy aims to maintain peaceful relationships and open cooperation with all nations, without entering into conflicts or alliances that may jeopardise its sovereignty and national interests.
While this approach may seem appealing on the surface, a critical analysis reveals several limitations and challenges associated with PNG’s foreign policy:
n LACK of strategic focus: One of the fundamental drawbacks of PNG’s “friend to all, enemy to none” foreign policy is its lack of strategic focus. By attempting to please all nations, PNG risks spreading its limited diplomatic and economic resources thin. This lack of prioritisation can hinder the country’s ability to effectively pursue its national interests and capitalise on strategic partnerships that could bring tangible benefits to its development;
n Superficial engagement: PNG’s foreign policy often appears to be more symbolic than substantive, emphasising surface-level diplomatic relations rather than engaging in meaningful cooperation. While maintaining friendly relations with multiple countries is commendable, it is essential to move beyond mere rhetoric and establish concrete partnerships that can contribute to PNG’s socio-economic development, infrastructure, and capacity-building needs;
n LIMITED regional influence: Despite being geographically located in the Asia-Pacific; PNG’s foreign policy stance often fails to assert a significant influence within the regional dynamics. While being friendly to all nations can prevent direct conflicts, it also results in PNG being viewed as a neutral player with limited regional leverage. This can impede its ability to actively participate in shaping regional policies and initiatives, thus potentially missing out on opportunities for economic growth and development;
n Resource management concerns: As a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, PNG’s foreign policy must strike a delicate balance between attracting foreign investments and ensuring responsible resource management. However, by trying to please all potential investors, PNG may expose itself to exploitative practices, environmental degradation, and economic dependence. It is crucial for the country to establish strong regulations and transparent governance frameworks to safeguard its resources and avoid falling victim to neo-colonial practices; and,
n Security considerations: The “friend to all, enemy to none” policy may inadvertently expose PNG to security vulnerabilities. By refraining from forming strategic alliances or taking a clear stance on regional security issues, PNG risks being perceived as a passive actor with limited capacity to respond to security threats. This lack of proactive engagement may hinder the country’s ability to protect its borders, combat transnational crimes, and address emerging challenges such as cyber-security threats.
While PNG’s “friend to all, enemy to none” foreign policy promotes peace and non-alignment, a critical analysis highlights the limitations and challenges associated with such an approach.
The lack of strategic focus, superficial engagement, limited regional influence, resource management concerns, and security considerations all pose significant hurdles to PNG’s national interests and development goals.
To navigate these challenges effectively, PNG must strike a balance between maintaining friendly relations with multiple nations and forging strategic partnerships that contribute to its long-term sustainable development.
By adopting a more nuanced and proactive foreign policy, PNG can better position itself as an active player in regional and global affairs, safeguard its resources, and enhance its socio-economic progress.

SRB
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