The importance of maritime security within the vast ocean can’t be overstated, as it directly impacts the safety and security of all the people.
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua highlighted this while officiating at the Maritime Security Committee Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva this morning.
Tikoduadua says shared values of prosperity, family life and security underscore the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of the maritime domain.
He says food and economic security are intricately linked to maritime security, and the well-being of all nations depends on goods and commodities flowing freely, safely and unhindered across the Blue Pacific, connecting us to the global community.
The Minister says the geo-political competition and rivalries across the globe are now thriving in the Pacific region, placing Fiji and the neighbouring island states under a much greater spotlight.
Tikoduadua says the Prime Minister's "Ocean of Peace" concept plays a pivotal role in reshaping our region, it aims to reinforce collective strength and advocates for countries like Fiji to assert ownership of their resources and take decisive action in their best interests.
He says the establishment of an Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States (OASIS) would be a formal platform for Pacific Island States to collectively address the security challenges we face, from combating transnational organised crime to responding to climate change and preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
The purpose of the two-day OASIS workshop is to facilitate collaboration among the agencies and explore opportunities to sustain and protect our maritime areas for the benefit of present and future generations.
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