UN Highlands joint programme hosts national conference to advance Small Arms Control strategy

A two-day National Conference on Small Arms Control commenced yesterday in Port Moresby, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to produce concrete recommendations for Papua New Guinea’s first-ever National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control.

The conference builds on key recommendations from the Highlands Regional Validation Workshop held in Mount Hagen in June and expands on initial discussions from the National Workshop on Coordination Mechanisms and Comprehensive Strategy on Small Arms Control held in April 2024.

Following these prior events, the goal of this high-level event has been to consolidate inputs, promote national consensus, and to take first steps to refine and raise awareness of the draft NAP, so that it can become a fully actionable national strategy.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr Richard Howard, in his opening remarks stated that:

“We are at a critical juncture. The widespread availability of small arms in Papua New Guinea is fuelling violence, undermining development, and shaping a dangerous identity for too many of our young people. This National Workshop is not just about producing another report—it’s about mobilizing real political will, shaping a national response, and ensuring that the government leads with urgency. As we approach the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence, we have a responsibility to place law and order, and the issue of small arms, at the centre of our peacebuilding and national development agenda.”

Mr. Richard Howard, Resident Coordinator, United Nations in Papua New Guinea, during his opening speech.

The Conference saw presentations of several pieces of research, including an analysis of small arms trends in the Highlands by Retired General, Sir Jerry Singirok, and participatory research on the impact of weapons on women and youth.

“We cannot address what we do not understand. Following studies undertaken 20 years ago these recent studies start to give us an updated and contextualized picture of small arms proliferation in Papua New Guinea and the social dynamics driving it. These findings will allow government, development partners, and communities to design informed, targeted interventions that tackle the root causes of armed violence and build lasting peace,” said Ms. Zoe Pelter, Assistant Resident Representative (Governance), UNDP.

Retired General, Sir Jerry Singirok, during his presentation on the analysis of small arms trends in the Highlands.

Hosted with the support of United Nations agencies, the conference convenes senior government officials, Provincial Administrations, civil society organizations, international partners, and experts from across sectors to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s approach to preventing the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

“The pain and impact of armed violence on women and children in Papua New Guinea too often go unseen and unheard. We cannot build lasting peace without making their voices central to the solutions. From the islands to the halls of Parliament, the National Council of Women stands ready to be not just at the table, but a driving force for change—working alongside government, communities, and partners to ensure our path to peace is grounded in justice, inclusion, and sustainability,” said Ms. Sabeth Yengis, President, National Council of Women, Papua New Guinea

Ms. Sabeth Yengis, President, National Council of Women, Papua New Guinea, during her opening remarks.

A key part of the event is the presentation of the draft National Action Plan, which outlines how Papua New Guinea can better manage and control small arms and light weapons. Discussions throughout the workshop focus on important areas such as laws and policies, safe storage of weapons, community safety, and making sure the plan supports both men and women.

The event has been held to ensure national ownership, supporting the government to transition from planning to action. Once finalised and endorsed, the NAP will serve as Papua New Guinea’s national roadmap for coordinated, effective, and sustainable small arms control.

Key delegates who attended the conference were; Acting Commissioner for PNG Correctional Service, Mr. Benard Nepo, Chief Commissioner of Land Commission, Mr. Molean Kilepat, Acting Deputy Secretary, representing the Department of Prime Minister, Mr. Christopher Asa, Mr. Richard Howard Jr., United Nations Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, Ms. Sabeth Yengis, President of the National Council of Women, and Gen. Jerry Singirok (ret’d), Former Commander of the PNG Defence Force.