Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, has proposed the establishment of a formal alliance among Pacific Island nations to address increasing maritime security challenges. During the Maritime Security Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel, he introduced the “Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States” (OASIS), which seeks to safeguard the region from threats such as illegal fishing, transnational crime, and the impacts of climate change.
Mr. Tikoduadua emphasized the significance of the ocean to Pacific inhabitants, stating that their food, economic stability, and overall well-being are closely tied to maritime security. He called for urgent action to protect the maritime domain.
He also highlighted the strategic relevance of the Blue Pacific amid rising geopolitical tensions between China, the United States, and their allies, stressing the need for the Pacific region to control its resources and secure its future.
British High Commissioner Brian Jones echoed the Minister’s sentiments, noting the evolving nature of maritime security, which encompasses not only the sea’s surface but also the seabed, data cables, and satellites crucial for modern shipping operations.
Munkhtuya Altangerel, the UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office, underscored the importance of empowering local maritime communities as the first line of defense against various threats in the expansive Pacific Ocean. She suggested that well-informed and prosperous communities could deter potential adversaries.
The two-day conference, which included representatives from government agencies, King’s College London, and other stakeholders, aimed to foster collaboration among government bodies and explore ways to sustain and protect Fiji’s maritime areas for current and future generations.