PRESS RELEASE (55/10)
Transnational crime, counter terrorism, small arms, security sector governance and human rights are among some of the issues that are being discussed at the 20th meeting of the Forum Regional Security Committee which started at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji today.
The two-day meeting is being attended by senior officials from Forum member countries and observers including CROP Agencies, United Nations Agencies and other stakeholders.
In his opening address, Secretary General of the Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said: “This meeting of the Forum Regional Security Committee (FRSC) is the twentieth and therefore a significant milestone for what is now the principal forum of security experts responsible for developing and implementing our regional security agenda.”
Mr Slade told the delegates that the Pacific continues to be confronted by external forces and challenges that directly threaten the regional and human security, law and order, and peace and stability of the region.
“A myriad of serious cross-border and trans-national crimes, compounded by devastating impacts of the global financial and economic crisis, including climate change and natural disasters, add to complications and challenges for our region,” said Mr Slade.
“But we are a region of resilience and one firmly committed to our Leaders’ vision for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific. We must persevere in our efforts to adopt forward thinking and progressive approaches to addressing challenges that will always test and expand the agenda of this Committee.”
Mr Slade added: “Our region continues to face complex law enforcement challenges with the continuing presence, and reporting, of a wide range of transnational criminal activities.”
“We must respond collectively and promptly to the host of challenges. No one country can feasibly manage alone in today’s world, where peace and security at the regional level are so inextricably linked to peace and stability in our respective member countries.”
The FRSC meeting will discuss this year’s annual Pacific Transnational Crime Assessment, a joint report of the Forum Secretariat and specialist regional law enforcement agencies and Secretariats, which highlights that all Pacific communities remain vulnerable to the threat of transnational crime.
The meeting will also consider the Draft Regional Guidelines for the Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action of Small Arms and Light Weapons; a regional resource tool kit developed by the Forum Secretariat which aims to provide measures to control the distribution of ammunition, storage and destruction of ammunition and a revise model weapons bill.
The FRSC Meeting will discuss the development of a Sexual Offences Regional Model Law aimed at targeting perpetrators crimes such as sexual assault or sexual violence against children by imposing harsh penalties and through other provisions to ensure fair trials and empowering victims of sexual offences.
The Second Session of the Meeting tomorrow will focus on broader regional and national security issues facing the countries of the Pacific Region. This includes key regional activities under the Biketawa Declaration, including the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
ENDS.
For media enquiries, contact Mr Johnson Honimae, the Forum Secretariat’s Media Officer on phone 679 331 2600 or email: johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj
