 The U.S. funds a $1.5 million-per-year HIV/AIDS project in Papua New Guinea.  September 16, The United States and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations  Pacific Islands Multilateral Tuna Fisheries Treaty - U.S. grants $18 million per year to Pacific Island parties and access for U.S. fishing vessels.  The United States has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Papua New Guinea and contributed to the rehabilitation of Bougainville.  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funds a $1.5 million-per-year HIV/AIDS project in Papua New Guinea and contributed $150,000 to Oro disaster relief efforts.

 The Pacific Partnership 2008 mission provided humanitarian assistance in Port Moresby and Oro Province. School and health clinic engineering projects were completed and over 25,000 people received medical care.  The Pacific Partnership 2010 mission provided humanitarian assistance in Rabaul, East New Britain Province.  Health and engineering programs were completed in conjunction with local non-governmental organizations.  An ongoing International Military Education and Training (IMET) program and HIV/AIDS training program exists.  The U.S. Peace Corps ceased operations in Papua New Guinea in 2001 due to security concerns.  About 2,000 U.S. citizens live in Papua New Guinea, with major concentrations at the headquarters of New Tribes Mission and the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), both located in the Eastern Highlands Province.

 Greetings ◦ Usually shake hands when they greet ◦ Muslim men may follow a handshake by touching their right palm to their heart in a show of friendship. ◦ Women often brush cheeks. ◦ most common verbal greeting is Assalamu alaikum (Peace be upon you); the reply is Wa’alaikum salaam (And peace be upon you). ◦ Some people say Bagaimana kabarnya? (How is your news?). ◦ The next question nearly always is Dari mana? (Where are you coming from?). ◦ Older individuals are addressed respectfully as ibu (mother) or bapak (father) alone or followed by their first name. ◦ Most Indonesians, especially the Javanese, are addressed by their first names, even in formal situations. ◦ Professional or religious titles follow the name if appropriate. &

 Gestures ◦ It is polite to beckon (waving all fingers with the palm facing down) only to children, or close friends. ◦ To otherwise get someone’s attention, people wait to be noticed, clear their throat, or clap their hands—depending on their status or the situation. ◦ They do not use the left hand to touch others, point, eat, or give or receive objects. ◦ To point at something, many people use the thumb instead of a finger. ◦ Standing with one’s hands in the pockets or on the hips is a sign of defiance or arrogance. ◦ Crossing the legs usually is inappropriate, but if crossed, one knee should be over the other (not an ankle on the knee). ◦ The bottom of one’s foot may not point toward another person.