MAG has been engaged in Papua New Guinea since 2023 in collaboration with Government of PNG, UN agencies and other partners. A country team was established by early 2025 to support state security actors to enhance weapons and ammunition management, reduce risk of armed violence and the diversion of weapons.
Why we work in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea continues to be seriously affected by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), which play a significant role in tribal warfare, crime and conflict. With more than 80 per cent of the population living in rural areas, where the state's reach is limited, the effects are felt most acutely in communities furthest from formal security provision. Wider availability of SALW has contributed to rising violence and criminality, including rioting, looting and inter-communal conflict.
Diversion from legal weapons stocks, including those of state security actors, remains a key driver of illicit proliferation, with legally-held weapons entering illicit circulation and being trafficked internally for unlawful use. This is enabled by weak weapons and ammunition management (WAM) systems and infrastructure within the state security sector.
How we help
Working with partners, MAG has initiated technical assessments of weapons and ammunition management across state security sector. This is expected to identity gaps and prioritise assistance.
MAG has started delivering training to state security sector as part of lifecycle management of weapons beginning with weapons marking training conducted for PNG Correctional Services.
In partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, state security agencies and other stakeholders, MAG plans to physical infrastructure security upgrades to armouries, deliver training in armoury management and a training-of-trainers programme, conduct weapons destruction operations, and carry out further assessments of stockpile facilities.
MAG is working closely with the Prime Minister's Office and relevant authorities so that this work meets PNG's own policy priorities, with sustainability a key aspect of planning and delivery.
MAG’s work is funded by the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Header image credit: Jelilah Kum/Unsplash
