What Papua New Guinea Needs in the Arms Trade Treaty

Abstract

The United Nations currently has the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) under its consideration. The ATT will attempt, for the first time, to regulate the global trade in arms so as to reduce the negative impacts that this trade has. One Pacific state in particular that has faced severe consequences as a result of the presence of arms is Papua New Guinea (PNG). PNG presents unique challenges in addressing the proliferation of arms given its economic, social, political and geographical situation. The interaction between the arms trade and these domestic challenges is a crucial area to be explored in determining what elements are necessary in an ATT that will be relevant to PNG. This paper will attempt to provide such a determination with reference to the available evidence relating to the use, impacts, types and origins of arms in PNG.