UNDP supports the Government of Papua New Guinea in controlling the flow of small arms

Only 12% of small arms in Papua New Guinea are estimated to be licensed and registered, which complicates tackling ongoing armed violence in the country.

April 17, 2024

Members of Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions, and other development partners of the Government of Papua New Guinea attended a national workshop on small arms control

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

This week, on 15-17 April 2024, UNDP joined the Government of Papua New Guinea, UNFPA, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in PNG and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in facilitating a ‘National Workshop on Coordination Mechanisms and Comprehensive Strategy on Small Arms Control’.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, MP; the Ambassador of the European Union to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Jacques Fradin; and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth, attend the ceremony alongside Members of Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions, and other development partners of the Government of Papua New Guinea.

The purpose of the workshop was to highlight the importance of arms control and armed violence prevention in Papua New Guinea, and form coordination strategies and systems to effectively control the use of illicit small arms in the country. Research indicates about 70% of small arms in the country are illegally being leaked out, with criminals and illegal arms traders relying heavily on theft from government stocks.

UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth, addressing the participants.

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

‘’We have many questions about the rise of armed violence in Papua New Guinea, which is a plague on development and progress in this country. The needs to be addressed urgently and UNDP is proud to stand with the government and the people of Papua New Guinea in eradicating armed violence across the country,’’ stated UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth, in his opening remarks.

“In Papua New Guinea, the proliferation of illegal small arms and misuse of light weapons misuse are impeding security and social economic development. I see gun control as a major issue and I look forward to your outcomes for the benefit and the safety of our people for the long term,’’ added Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, in his address to the participants.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, attended the opening of the workshop.

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

During the three-day workshop, participants learned about the impact of gun violence on national development and best practices and guidelines on arms control. The sessions highlighted the need for establishing a national control system for small and light weapons, preventing illicit use and proliferation of small arms and the gendered impact of armed violence.

This workshop was generously co-funded by the European Union and the Saving-Lives Entity (SALIENT) Initiative, which is jointly implemented by the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in PNG, UNRCPD, UNDP and UNFPA.

The Ambassador of the European Union, H.E. Jacques Fradin, addressing the participants.

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

“The European Union is a major player in global efforts to prevent and combat the uncontrolled accumulation and proliferation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunitions. We are pleased to be contributing and cofounding funding this workshop and its objectives,’’ said the Ambassador of the European Union, H.E. Jacques Fradin, at the workshop.