Pacific leaders discuss security sector governance
Press statement (20/09)
29th April 2009
Pacific Leaders Begin Discussions on Security Sector Governance in the Region
A three-day conference on "Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Region,” was officially launched yesterday by Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Viliami Tangi.
Dr Tangi welcomed the 89 participants to Tonga, including Ministers of Defence and top security sector officials and civil society representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga; and resource personnel from a wide range of international bodies.
Dr Tangi reminded the participants of the unique security and governance environment of the Pacific region.
"Due to our different cultures, history and, unfortunately, for our neighbours the legacy of colonialism our security environments are very unique,” he said.
“Your presence here demonstrates a continued desire to work together to improve regional security cooperation and integration in order to realize that this is fundamental to our collective political, social and economic development.”
Jean-Luc Stalon, Senior Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor at the UNDP Pacific Centre and Co-Chair of the Conference echoed Dr. Tangi’s views by adding that findings indicate that effective and accountable security institutions are essential for sustainable peace and development.
“If security is threatened or undermined, this can result in individuals and societies being unwilling or unable to engage in normal political or economic activity, which undermines the attainment of national development goals,” he added.
Mr Stalon further commented that the intended outcome of the conference is to identify the priority needs and capacity gaps where UNDP in partnership with international and regional organizations could provide common regional technical assistance, policy advisory or capacity building support to enhance the management and oversight of the security sector in the Pacific.
Rick Nimmo, Director of the Political Governance and Security Programme of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Co- Chair of the conference emphasized that the Pacific Leaders outlined a vision for the Pacific as a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity.
“This conference is consistent with our Leaders’ vision and we are hoping to present the outcomes of this conference to the Forum Regional Security Committee in early June to enable full consideration by all our member states on how PIFS, in cooperation with other key stakeholders and partners, can advance the Security Sector Governance agenda in the region.
The Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Conference is the first of its kind in the Pacific Region, and is hosted by the UNDP Pacific Centre in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The topics to be covered during the three days of deliberation include Security Sector Governance: Global and Pacific; Security Sector Governance and Co-operation in the Pacific - status and needs; Executive, Legislative and Civil Society Oversight of the Security Sector; institution building and accountability of the security sector; and Gender and Security Sector Governance.
[Ends]
For more information please contact:
Snehal Morris, Communications Officer on (679) 3227507 Email : snehal.morris@undp.org or
Thomas Shanahan, Programme Specialist/Advisor – Conflict Prevention, Email: Thomas.shanahan@undp.org or Mr Rick Nimmo, Forum Secretariat's Director of Political Governance and Security Programme on email: rickn@forumsec.org.fj
29th April 2009
Pacific Leaders Begin Discussions on Security Sector Governance in the Region
A three-day conference on "Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Region,” was officially launched yesterday by Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Viliami Tangi.
Dr Tangi welcomed the 89 participants to Tonga, including Ministers of Defence and top security sector officials and civil society representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga; and resource personnel from a wide range of international bodies.
Dr Tangi reminded the participants of the unique security and governance environment of the Pacific region.
"Due to our different cultures, history and, unfortunately, for our neighbours the legacy of colonialism our security environments are very unique,” he said.
“Your presence here demonstrates a continued desire to work together to improve regional security cooperation and integration in order to realize that this is fundamental to our collective political, social and economic development.”
Jean-Luc Stalon, Senior Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor at the UNDP Pacific Centre and Co-Chair of the Conference echoed Dr. Tangi’s views by adding that findings indicate that effective and accountable security institutions are essential for sustainable peace and development.
“If security is threatened or undermined, this can result in individuals and societies being unwilling or unable to engage in normal political or economic activity, which undermines the attainment of national development goals,” he added.
Mr Stalon further commented that the intended outcome of the conference is to identify the priority needs and capacity gaps where UNDP in partnership with international and regional organizations could provide common regional technical assistance, policy advisory or capacity building support to enhance the management and oversight of the security sector in the Pacific.
Rick Nimmo, Director of the Political Governance and Security Programme of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Co- Chair of the conference emphasized that the Pacific Leaders outlined a vision for the Pacific as a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity.
“This conference is consistent with our Leaders’ vision and we are hoping to present the outcomes of this conference to the Forum Regional Security Committee in early June to enable full consideration by all our member states on how PIFS, in cooperation with other key stakeholders and partners, can advance the Security Sector Governance agenda in the region.
The Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Conference is the first of its kind in the Pacific Region, and is hosted by the UNDP Pacific Centre in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The topics to be covered during the three days of deliberation include Security Sector Governance: Global and Pacific; Security Sector Governance and Co-operation in the Pacific - status and needs; Executive, Legislative and Civil Society Oversight of the Security Sector; institution building and accountability of the security sector; and Gender and Security Sector Governance.
[Ends]
For more information please contact:
Snehal Morris, Communications Officer on (679) 3227507 Email : snehal.morris@undp.org or
Thomas Shanahan, Programme Specialist/Advisor – Conflict Prevention, Email: Thomas.shanahan@undp.org or Mr Rick Nimmo, Forum Secretariat's Director of Political Governance and Security Programme on email: rickn@forumsec.org.fj
