“More gun control action is needed to address the growing issue of national gun-related violence in the country.” This has been highlighted by Prime Minister James Marape and conveyed by Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko at the recent opening of the National Workshop on Coordination Mechanisms and Comprehensive National Strategy on Small Arms Control in Port Moresby. The Minister said there is great need for outcomes and action on National Gun Violence issues, when affirming political will to do so from the government as a result of assertions of instances of political sponsorship of weapons. “It is the big issue that we must all address together (and) if we're all thinking about the good of our country, then these political issues must come to a compromise.” “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 also spotlighted an extensive report which was put together by Retired Major-General Jerry Singirok in 2005 that highlights gun control measures. “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.” “Personally, in my electorate in Moresby South, we do have minor gun issues but mostly from home-made guns, not factory-made guns – and they're all usually alcohol or drug-related crimes.” “But we need to make a decision, we need to get an outcome and not talk about it anymore.” The Minister also expressed great gratitude to the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, the UN Country Team in the country, and the European Union for the support to the Government for the workshop. The workshop is organized under the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Initiative, jointly implemented in PNG by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, UNRCPD, UNDP PNG, and UNFPA PNG.