Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly recently, the Minister for Internal Security Peter Tsiamalili Junior, emphasized on several key points that he believes the Secretary General should consider his Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace and the evolving role of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in achieving lasting peace and security.
He mentioned four key points, which included Support for Preventive Diplomacy, Peace by Peaceful Means, Climate-Peacebuilding Nexus and the Importance of Multilateralism.
The Minister highlighted the crucial importance of preventive diplomacy in averting conflicts and tensions between nations and within nations. He emphasized the need for de-escalation, mutual understanding, and cooperation to build trust and foster peaceful relationships.
The Minister said Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Policy is being “Friends to All, and Enemies to None,” enables the country to work with all nations.
Tsiamalili also stressed the significance of investing in peacebuilding through peaceful means.
He emphasized the need to understand the root causes of conflicts and develop strategies to address them with sensitivity, mutual respect, and local context.
The Minister cited the successful Bougainville peace process as an example of diligent and consistent implementation of agreed activities.
Recognizing the climate crisis as a major security threat to Pacific Island Countries, including Papua New Guinea, Minister Tsiamalili also called for global solidarity and support to combat the impacts of climate change and the resulting security challenges. He urged the PBC to actively address the intersection of climate change and peacebuilding.
He reaffirmed the need for multilateralism through the United Nations to ensure a secure and peaceful world.
He highlighted successful UN-supported peacebuilding initiatives at national and sub-national levels, including the ongoing projects of “Parliamentary Strengthening” and “Sustaining Peace through Economic Empowerment” in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
He added that the timeliness of necessary reforms to make the UN fit-for-purpose and called for the long-overdue process of Security Council reform, including the removal of the veto power.