The Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, has advocated for the establishment of a formal partnership among Pacific Island nations to address the rising maritime security challenges.
During the Maritime Security Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel, he introduced the concept of the “Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States” (OASIS), which aims to safeguard the region from dangers such as illegal fishing, transnational crime, and the impacts of climate change.
Mr. Tikoduadua emphasized the deep connection Pacific inhabitants have with the ocean, noting that food, economic security, and well-being are all closely tied to maritime security. He insisted on the necessity for decisive action to protect the maritime domain.
He highlighted the strategic significance of the Blue Pacific, pointing out that increasing geopolitical competition between China and the United States, along with their allies, has drawn more attention to Fiji and its neighboring countries.
The Minister urged that the Pacific must take control of its resources and act decisively to secure its future.
These sentiments were echoed by British High Commissioner Brian Jones, who underlined the changing dynamics of maritime security. He explained that maritime security encompasses not only the surface of the sea but also the seabed, data transmission cables, and the satellites essential for modern shipping.
Munkhtuya Altangerel, the UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office, also emphasized the importance of empowering local maritime communities as the “first line of defense” against potential threats in the expansive Pacific Ocean. She remarked that empowered and dignified maritime communities could deter adversaries more effectively.
The two-day Maritime Security Conference, which included participants from government agencies and King’s College London among other stakeholders, aimed to foster collaboration among governmental bodies and explore opportunities to sustain and protect Fiji’s maritime zones for the benefit of current and future generations.