Papua New Guinea - IOM and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (26/02) to strengthen an already well-established cooperation between the two organizations in the field of migration management.

The agreement will help the RPNGC and IOM work together more effectively in areas including counter-trafficking, human security, civil protection, internally displaced persons and peace building. 

The MoU was signed by RPNGC Commissioner of Police Gari L. Baki and IOM Papua New Guinea Chief of Mission George Gigauri.

“Both of our organizations are fully committed to safeguarding the human rights of migrants, refugees, the displaced and mobile populations. This agreement will further enhance our joint efforts in this critically important area,” said Gigauri.

Police Commissioner Baki highlighted the responsibility that RPNGC has to assist IOM regarding common challenges facing both organizations. “This MOU is the first of its kind between RPNGC and IOM and it will give us an open mind to tackle challenges that confront us both. We will embrace the MoU and do everything possible to implement it,” he said. 

IOM has been assisting the RPNGC for over six years in a wide array of activities, mainly focusing on counter-trafficking, including victim identification and referral, criminalization and prosecution of traffickers. It has also addressed counter-smuggling, search and rescue, tribal conflict management and rights advocacy.       

For further information, please contact Beatriz Muñoz Girardengo at IOM Papua New Guinea, Email: bmunoz@iom.int, Tel. +675 70256220