Confronting Transnational Organized Crime in Papua New Guinea: Reflections from Seminar 9

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Transnational organized crime continues to pose significant challenges to PNG, particularly within its vast and largely unmonitored maritime zones. Seminar 9 focused on examining the scale of these threats, highlighting the urgency of a comprehensive national response. Students were encouraged to critically engage with PNG’s ranking in the Global Organized Crime Index and to reflect on the structural weaknesses that expose the country to criminal activities across its maritime domain.

The seminar opened with a discussion on the definitions and characteristics of transnational organized crime, drawing attention to the systemic factors that enable such activities to thrive. Inadequate border governance, porous maritime boundaries, and limited enforcement capacity were identified as key vulnerabilities. The concept of Blue Security was introduced as a framework to rethink maritime governance, promoting integrated management of marine resources and emphasizing the protection of PNG’s territorial waters against unconventional security threats.

Screenshot of the video on my YouTube channel

A comprehensive maritime security strategy was proposed, centered on strengthening national surveillance and enforcement capabilities. Recommendations included investing in satellite monitoring systems, drone technology, and radar installations to better detect and deter illicit activities. Inter-agency collaboration, foreign partnerships, and intelligence sharing were emphasized as essential components for building an effective and sustainable maritime security apparatus to counter the rise of organized crime.

The intersection between human trafficking and maritime security was a critical area of concern. It was noted that PNG’s extensive coastline, combined with limited border control infrastructure and weak legal frameworks, has made the country highly vulnerable to trafficking networks. Community engagement, legal reforms, and enhanced vessel inspection protocols were among the key strategies proposed to disrupt trafficking operations and better safeguard vulnerable coastal populations.

Attention was also given to the environmental, economic, and social impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. Strengthening monitoring, control, and surveillance efforts, coupled with the domestication of international agreements such as the Port State Measures Agreement, were discussed as necessary steps. International and regional collaboration was seen as vital to protecting marine resources and securing the livelihoods of communities dependent on the ocean economy.

Beyond enforcement measures, the need to build institutional resilience was strongly emphasized. Students discussed strategies for strengthening the PNG Defence Force, Customs Services, and Immigration and Citizenship Services. Enhancing institutional capacity, increasing operational budgets, and improving coordination between agencies were identified as priorities for building a national security infrastructure capable of confronting maritime crime effectively.

Governance reforms were also highlighted as crucial to addressing the role of state-embedded actors who enable organized crime through corruption and collusion. Proposals included the formulation of a new foreign policy white paper, the transformation of the Office of Security Coordination and Assessment into a National Security Agency, and the introduction of robust anti-corruption frameworks. These measures were seen as essential to restoring public trust and enhancing the legitimacy of PNG’s security institutions.

Seminar 9 concluded with a strong call for collaborative action at the national, regional, and community levels to address transnational organized crime. Students were encouraged to continue reflecting on PNG’s vulnerabilities and to prepare for Seminar 10, where discussions on combating transnational crime will continue. You can watch the full Seminar 9 recording here: https://youtu.be/nJDFTf2wdKo

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