Papua New Guinea One Month After the Riots

Last month, riots erupted in Papua New Guinea’s capital and quickly spread to other cities across the country. The riots laid bare that governance is failing to meet public needs — which risks deepening instability in a country that already faces high rates of intercommunal, domestic and gender-based violence. Meanwhile, U.S engagement in Papua New Guinea has been increasing as geopolitical competition heightens in the region. And while this engagement centers on Papua New Guinea’s designation as a priority partner country under the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, the recent unrest offers a wake-up call for U.S and international policymakers to re-focus on the roots of the country’s instability.

On February 22, USIP hosted a conversation on what’s changed in the month since riots engulfed the Pacific Islands' largest and most populous nation — as well as how U.S. and international policymakers can respond to the causes that are driving instability in Papua New Guinea.

For more information about this event, please visit

Speakers:

Brian Harding, moderator

Senior Expert, Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, U.S. Institute of Peace

Gordon Peake

Senior Advisor, Pacific Islands, U.S. Institute of Peace

Ruth Kissam

Senior Advisor, Papua New Guinea, U.S. Institute of Peace

Zuabe Tinning

Program Manager, Papua New Guinea, U.S. Institute of Peace

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP