Pacific security in flux as governance gaps invite organized crime

Organised crime groups are increasingly taking advantage of the development and governance voids present across the Pacific region. This alarming trend was underscored by Neumi Vakadewabuka, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Policy Adviser for Regional Security, during the panel discussion marking the 6th Anniversary Celebration Event for the Teieniwa Vision.

Mr. Vakadewabuka highlighted that one of the most significant changes underway in the region is the escalating influence of organised and transnational crime networks, which are step into roles left vacant by shifting power dynamics, governance challenges, and the impacts of climate change. “Organised crime is filling a lot of those gaps,” he remarked, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these issues within the Pacific Islands.

He noted that several development partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Pacific Islands Forum, and media organisations like the BBC, are collaborating with local governments to bolster systems and uphold national sovereignty and leadership.

A critical point emerging from recent regional surveys is the concept of “integrity.” Mr. Vakadewabuka stressed that this idea is vital to evaluating the efficacy of border systems, customs, law enforcement, and governance frameworks throughout the Pacific. He pointed out that integrity challenges also affect individuals, saying, “The integrity of people at our borders, the integrity of our leaders, and the integrity of our front liners and border officials are being severely challenged.”

He advocated for a holistic approach to security, linking it not only to governance but also to climate, food, health, and the overall sense of safety for Pacific communities. According to him, addressing these interconnected security concerns through a common framework of integrity could pave the way for a more secure and resilient future for the region’s inhabitants.

This call to action serves as a reminder that collaborative efforts focused on integrity could help mitigate the adverse effects of organised crime and strengthen the Pacific Islands’ collective security.