The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration hosted the Maritime Security Committee to discuss safety and security at Fiji’s borders during a two-day conference. Supported by the United Kingdom government and UNDP, the event gathered key stakeholders in maritime security along with academics from King’s College London to collaborate on protecting Fiji’s seaports, borders, and the broader Blue Pacific region.
The conference aimed to highlight the unique challenges faced in safeguarding Fiji’s extensive ocean territories, while also honoring the rich maritime heritage that has influenced the identity of Fiji and the wider Pacific for centuries.
A significant focus was placed on fostering collaboration between King’s College and the Maritime Security Committee to enhance interagency maritime policies, legislative frameworks, and strategic initiatives that promote the safety of the Blue Pacific through established partnerships.
During the opening of the conference, Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua introduced a proposal for an Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States, termed “OASIS.” He emphasized that this alliance would serve as a formal platform to collectively tackle security challenges, including transnational organized crime, climate change responses, and efforts to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
“In a world where Pacific Island States are often overlooked, we must unite. Only together, and in partnership, can we amplify our voices and secure our common future. OASIS would symbolize this unity—a proactive measure to protect our maritime regions from increasing external pressures,” Tikoduadua stated.
The workshop’s objective was to promote collaboration among agencies and identify ways to sustain and safeguard maritime areas for future generations. British High Commissioner to Fiji, Dr. Brian Jones, remarked that maritime security extends beyond the surface of the sea, encompassing aspects tied to the seabed, including undersea cables.
“We are in a complex environment that complicates our roles. Our resolve should be as deep as the sea, and our aspirations should reach high,” he added.