Bougainvilleans have been urged to stay committed to the region's Peace Agreement to ensure a referendum on possible independence is internationally credible.
Bougainville's Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation, Albert Punghau Photo: supplied
That is the advice from a South Sudan peace-builder and former government minister, Luka Kuol.
Dr Kuol is visiting the autonomous Papua New Guinea region to give his experiences of a similar referendum process in South Sudan.
Bougainville is set to hold its referendum in June of 2019.
He said Bougainville needed to prioritise social cohesion, to make people confident to disarm and unify behind the post-referendum outcome.
Bougainville's Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation, Albert Punghau, said it was vital for the region to learn from the lessons of others.
He said people with direct experience like Dr Kuol could assist Bougainville in creating a "referendum that is credible, that can sustain long lasting peace and put an end to conflict once and for all".
Mr Punghau said Bougainvilleans could not pre-empt the outcome, but must prepare themselves by being peaceful, unified, weapons-free and delivering the services people need.