Papua New Guinea recently took a step further in addressing gun-related issues in the country through a state workshop supported by the United Nations (UN).
Gun-related violence poses a significant threat to business operations, mostly in PNG’s provinces. To tackle this, a three-day National Workshop on Coordination Mechanism and Comprehensive National Strategy on Small Arms Control was convened from April 15th to 17th at the Apec House in Port Moresby.
Co-sponsored by the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (NEC) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament (UNCPRD), the workshop was organized under the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Initiative.
This initiative is jointly implemented in PNG by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, UNRCPD, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) PNG, the European Union (EU) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) PNG.
The primary aim of the workshop was to develop a National Strategy to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms in PNG. The workshop was a result of data collection on reducing illegal arms buildup around the country.
PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP emphasized the need immediate for action during his remarks at the workshop's opening on April 15th.
Representing Prime Minister Hon. James Marape MP, Minister Tkatchenko highlighted the government's political will to address the issue, citing concerns over political sponsorship of weapons.
Minister Tkatchenko said: "It is the big issue that we must all address together. If we're all thinking about the good of our country, then these political issues must come to a compromise."
He also emphasized the role of the UN in providing comprehensive data and recommendations to effectively reduce gun violence.
Minister Tkatchenko expressed gratitude to the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, the UN Country Team in Papua New Guinea, and the European Union for their support of the workshop.
“From these discussions and data collected on the ground, the UN organization will give us a full detailed report of their findings as well as recommendations for how we can best achieve effective reduction of gun violence. It’s not hard, we do not need to be rocket scientists to work out how to remove guns from the provinces,” he said.
The Minister noted that implementing recommendations from the 2005 report by Retired Major-General Jerry Singirok could significantly contribute to this effort.
“If you read through it, it's only for our government to implement a lot of those recommendations which will help our police implement the removal of small arms and firearms throughout Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Minister Tkatchenko also highlighted the prevalence of minor gun issues, primarily from homemade guns, in his electorate in Moresby South, often linked to abuse of drugs-related crime.
“But we need to make a decision, we need to get an outcome and not talk about it anymore,” he said.
Extensive report by Singirok in 2005
In his report, Major General Singirok explores various aspects of illegal gun use, sources of firearms, and administration and control. He advocates for a collaborative approach between the state and society in addressing gun control issues.
His report draws from different sources, including personal experience. Further in, Major General Singirok calls for a collaborative approach to gun control between state and society.
