Pacific face complex law enforcement challenges
PRESS STATEMENT (32/09)
4th June 2009
PACIFIC REGION FACE COMPLEX LAW ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES
The Pacific region continues to face complex law enforcement challenges and support to agencies responsible for law enforcement remains a high priority for all the countries in the region.
Opening the 2009 Forum Regional Security Committee meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, today, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said: “Contemporary security issues have become more complex, more challenging, and more sophisticated.”
“The economic impacts on the global economy may also be a driver for insecurity, and in some cases a catalyst for criminality, the likelihood of which would pose threats to the stability and security of our communities. So while we must focus on the region’s traditional law enforcement and compliance priorities, we can expect that new challenges will always test and expand the FRSC’s agenda,” said Mr Slade.
He added: “There is need, therefore to adopt forward thinking and innovative approaches to ensure effective achievement of the Forum Leaders’ vision for a peaceful, secure and prosperous region for our people.”
The 2009 Pacific Transnational Crime Assessment, which is developed in cooperation with specialist regional law enforcement agencies and Secretariats, highlights ongoing transnational criminal activity in the Pacific region.
Forum Secretary General Slade said: “It is clear from the variety of investigations undertaken in the last year that the region continues to be targeted by individuals and groups attempting to undertake a range of transnational criminal activity. These include the illicit movement of drugs, weapons and people. We are even beginning to witness incidences of new organised crime groups entities attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in our banking and financial sectors.”
A number of emerging transnational crime issues have been identified this year that will challenge Pacific Island Countries including in the areas of border security with increasing instances and lack of response to commercial fraud.
“This is even more relevant as the effects of the global financial crisis start to compound and importers start looking to evade import duty on goods, or even sources counterfeit products which can increase harm in our communities,” said Mr Slade. “Options to address the impact of small arms and light weapons are also important to introduce,” he added.
Mr Slade urged the region to respond collectively to this host of challenges where collective responses serve to provide commitment and strength.
“No one country can feasibly manage along in today’s world, where the problems of one neighbour invariably affect the next. Peace and security in our region are inextricably linked to peace and stability in our respective member countries; and much depends on the mutuality of needed cooperation on issues of common concerns.
The two-day FRSC meeting is being attended by official representatives of Forum Countries as well as regional law enforcement and security stakeholders. They will discuss a wide range of issues including but not limited to Transnational Crime, Counter-Terrorism, Border Management, Human Security Issues, Conflict Prevention as well as contemporary political and security challenges in the region.
ENDS.
4th June 2009
PACIFIC REGION FACE COMPLEX LAW ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES
The Pacific region continues to face complex law enforcement challenges and support to agencies responsible for law enforcement remains a high priority for all the countries in the region.
Opening the 2009 Forum Regional Security Committee meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, today, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said: “Contemporary security issues have become more complex, more challenging, and more sophisticated.”
“The economic impacts on the global economy may also be a driver for insecurity, and in some cases a catalyst for criminality, the likelihood of which would pose threats to the stability and security of our communities. So while we must focus on the region’s traditional law enforcement and compliance priorities, we can expect that new challenges will always test and expand the FRSC’s agenda,” said Mr Slade.
He added: “There is need, therefore to adopt forward thinking and innovative approaches to ensure effective achievement of the Forum Leaders’ vision for a peaceful, secure and prosperous region for our people.”
The 2009 Pacific Transnational Crime Assessment, which is developed in cooperation with specialist regional law enforcement agencies and Secretariats, highlights ongoing transnational criminal activity in the Pacific region.
Forum Secretary General Slade said: “It is clear from the variety of investigations undertaken in the last year that the region continues to be targeted by individuals and groups attempting to undertake a range of transnational criminal activity. These include the illicit movement of drugs, weapons and people. We are even beginning to witness incidences of new organised crime groups entities attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in our banking and financial sectors.”
A number of emerging transnational crime issues have been identified this year that will challenge Pacific Island Countries including in the areas of border security with increasing instances and lack of response to commercial fraud.
“This is even more relevant as the effects of the global financial crisis start to compound and importers start looking to evade import duty on goods, or even sources counterfeit products which can increase harm in our communities,” said Mr Slade. “Options to address the impact of small arms and light weapons are also important to introduce,” he added.
Mr Slade urged the region to respond collectively to this host of challenges where collective responses serve to provide commitment and strength.
“No one country can feasibly manage along in today’s world, where the problems of one neighbour invariably affect the next. Peace and security in our region are inextricably linked to peace and stability in our respective member countries; and much depends on the mutuality of needed cooperation on issues of common concerns.
The two-day FRSC meeting is being attended by official representatives of Forum Countries as well as regional law enforcement and security stakeholders. They will discuss a wide range of issues including but not limited to Transnational Crime, Counter-Terrorism, Border Management, Human Security Issues, Conflict Prevention as well as contemporary political and security challenges in the region.
ENDS.
