PNG welcomes court's Manus decision

Papua New Guinea says it remains committed to fighting people smuggling after an Australian High Court decision supporting the processing of asylum seekers on Manus Island.

The court last week dismissed a legal challenge by an Iranian asylum seeker being held in an Australian-run immigration detention centre on Manus Island.

It rejected the argument his detention was not valid under the constitution.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill pointed out that there had been no boat arrivals in Australia for six months under the agreement signed by the two countries.

Assessment of asylum claims was progressing well, with a majority indicating a return to their home country, he said.

"When we agreed with the government of Australia to implement this policy, we were confident about what this would achieve," he said in a statement on Sunday.

"People smuggling is one of a number of regional and global challenge that PNG can help address, and we remain committed to working with Australia or any other country to address this issue."