The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration organized a conference for Fiji’s Maritime Security Committee, emphasizing the importance of safety and security at the nation’s borders.
The two-day event, supported by the UK Government and UNDP, brought together various stakeholders in maritime security alongside scholars from King’s College London to address the challenges of protecting Fiji’s seaports and borders as well as the broader Blue Pacific region.
Participants focused on the unique responsibilities associated with safeguarding Fiji’s extensive ocean areas, as well as the rich maritime heritage that has defined the identity of both Fiji and the Pacific for centuries.
The conference highlighted the essential collaboration between King’s College and the Maritime Security Committee to enhance interagency maritime policy, legislative authority, and strategic insights that will protect the Blue Pacific through established partnerships.
Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua introduced the idea of creating an Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States, referred to as “OASIS.”
In his opening remarks, Tikoduadua explained that this alliance would serve as a formal platform to collaboratively tackle various security issues, including fighting transnational organized crime, addressing climate change, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
He stated, “In a world where Pacific Island States are often overshadowed, we must stand together. Only together, and with our partners, can we raise our voices and secure our shared future. OASIS would serve as a beacon of this unity—a proactive step towards safeguarding our maritime areas from the growing external pressures.”
The conference aimed to foster collaboration among different agencies and explore ways to protect maritime areas for both current and future generations.
British High Commissioner to Fiji, Dr. Brian Jones, emphasized that maritime security involves more than just what is seen on the water, also encompassing the underwater infrastructures that connect the seabed.
He remarked, “We’re in a complex environment, that makes all of our jobs complicated, and just like the sub-sea or what lies above, our determination should be as deep, and our ambition should be as high.”