The U.S. Department of State and Papua New Guinea signed a five-year bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 22, 2026, under the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy, according to a press release by the U.S. Department of State. The agreement totals $18 million and targets infectious disease prevention, surge-response capacity, and health system self-sufficiency. It marks a significant step in strengthening health cooperation between the two countries in the Oceania region.
The MOU builds on decades of progress in reducing HIV infections and transmissions in Papua New Guinea. The agreement focuses on addressing emerging infectious diseases and ongoing outbreaks, as well as enabling Papua New Guinea’s government to independently manage new health threats before they spread internationally. It reflects a nationally-driven approach to health security through cost-effective measures.
Working with Congress, the United States intends to provide $15 million through December 2030 under the jointly decided health MOU. Papua New Guinea’s government intends to allocate up to $3 million to disease control programs and strengthen health systems at the national and provincial levels. Up to $5 million under the MOU will directly support global health security funding in the region.
The State Department has now signed 32 bilateral global health MOUs as of April 22, covering countries including Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Uganda, among others. Collectively, America First Global Health Strategy MOUs signed so far represent more than $20.6 billion in new health funding. This includes more than $12.8 billion in U.S. assistance alongside $7.8 billion in co-investment from recipient countries.
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The broader MOU initiative spans decades of efforts fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases worldwide. The Papua New Guinea agreement specifically targets increased health system self-sufficiency through leveraging cost-effective, nationally-driven approaches. The $18 million MOU reinforces the United States’ stated commitment to health security across the Oceania region.