Customs leaders from 24 Pacific administrations will gather in Fiji from 2–4 June 2026 for the 28th Annual Conference of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), reaffirming their shared commitment to protecting Pacific communities, securing borders, facilitating trade, and supporting sustainable economic growth across the Blue Pacific.
Hosted by Fiji in its capacity as Chair of the OCO, the conference will bring together Heads of Customs, senior government officials, development partners, and international organisations under the theme, “Scaling Up the Commitment of Customs to Protect and Grow Our Pasifika Communities.”
As the Pacific faces increasing challenges from transnational organised crime, evolving trade patterns, and growing demands on border agencies, discussions will focus on strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing the capabilities needed to address these emerging threats.
Recent large-scale narcotics seizures across the region have underscored the growing interest of organised criminal networks in exploiting Pacific maritime and aviation routes.
Human trafficking, illicit financial flows, customs fraud, environmental crimes, and the smuggling of prohibited goods continue to pose significant risks to the social and economic wellbeing of Pacific nations.
OCO Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), Udit Singh says Customs administrations play a vital role in safeguarding communities while enabling economic development.
Singh says Customs today is far more than a border agency; they are guardians of our communities, facilitators of trade, protectors of government revenue, and partners in economic growth.
He says the work of Customs directly impacts the prosperity, safety, and resilience of our Pacific nations.
Singh says that while Pacific countries are geographically dispersed, they face many common challenges that require a collective response.
He adds that the scale and complexity of modern border threats mean that no country can address these issues alone.
Singh says that the Pacific occupies an increasingly strategic position within global trade and transport networks, making effective Customs administrations critical to both regional and international security.
He says the Pacific sits at the crossroads of major maritime and aviation routes connecting Asia, Australasia, and the Americas.
He adds that strong Customs administrations help protect these trade corridors while ensuring legitimate goods, travellers, and investment continue to move efficiently across our region.
The conference will feature contributions from international partners, including the World Customs Organization, the United Nations, the World Bank, and other regional stakeholders.
Key discussions will focus on border security, maritime enforcement, trade facilitation, passenger processing, digital transformation, leadership development, and strengthening intelligence-sharing arrangements across the Pacific.
During Fiji’s tenure as OCO Chair, the organisation has prioritised regional capacity building, leadership development, customs modernisation, and stronger partnerships with international agencies.
These initiatives have contributed to strengthening Customs administrations across the Pacific and enhancing their ability to respond to emerging threats and opportunities
This year’s conference also marks more than a decade since Fiji last hosted the OCO Annual Conference, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to regional leadership and collaboration.
Singh says the conference provides an important platform for Pacific Customs leaders to shape the future of border management in the region.
He further says that as trade volumes grow, passenger movements increase, and criminal networks become more sophisticated, Customs administrations must continue to evolve.
He says the conference reflects a shared commitment to ensuring borders remain secure, efficient and resilient for future generations.
The Oceania Customs Organisation’s membership comprises American Samoa, Australia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
