UPDATE: Cairns Mayor Amy Eden announced significant developments following her delegation’s recent visit to Lae, Papua New Guinea, where they marked the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. The visit included a tour of the newly upgraded Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, which has undergone a major redevelopment to enhance domestic and international travel capabilities.
During a council meeting last week, Mayor Eden emphasized the airport’s potential, stating, “While the airport is now technically international in capability, commercial international services have not yet commenced. This presents a clear opportunity for Cairns and Lae connectivity in the future.” The upgraded facilities are poised to facilitate increased trade and tourism between the two regions.
In addition to the airport visit, Eden participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the $60 million Lae Market Redevelopment, a collaborative project between Lae, Australia, and New Zealand. “That project underlines Lae’s growing economic profile and reinforces the potential for future collaboration in infrastructure, trade, and connectivity,” she added.
One of the standout proposals from the visit is the creation of a mini–PNG Friendship Garden in Cairns, featuring carved totem poles from the Lae City Authority and native Papua New Guinean plant species. This initiative aims to deepen cultural ties and celebrate the shared heritage of the sister cities.
Moreover, sister cities ambassador Sim Hayward received formal recognition for her nearly four decades of voluntary service in fostering international relationships between Cairns and Lae. Her contributions have been vital in sustaining strong people-to-people connections since the sister city bond was established in 1984.
The delegation’s discussions with local civic, business, and community leaders focused on enhancing collaboration across trade, education, and cultural exchange. Following these discussions, Tradelinked Cairns-PNG will lead a business delegation to Lae this week to continue building on the momentum created during the visit.
In a significant gesture of goodwill, Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso has invited the Cairns council to develop youth, community, and cultural exchanges, further solidifying the bonds between the two cities.
As these developments unfold, the potential for economic and cultural opportunities between Cairns and Lae is increasingly promising. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving partnership and its implications for both communities.
