PRESS STATEMENT 37/11

[Suva, Fiji - 1st June 2011] The 2011 Forum Regional Security Committee (FRSC) Meeting will be held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji from 2- 3 June.

This year’s FRSC meeting will be chaired by Papua New Guinea.

Senior government officials from Forum member countries as well as regional law enforcement and security agency representatives will meet to discuss a wide range of issues relating to, but not limited to, transnational organised crime, counter-terrorism, border management, human security issues, conflict prevention, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), as well as broader political and security challenges in the region.

Preceding the FRSC meeting is a Conflict Prevention Workshop that is presently underway at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva. The Workshop, held from 31 May to 1 June 2011, is jointly organised by the Forum Secretariat and Suva-based UNDP Pacific Centre and was attended by senior officials from a range of Forum member countries. Officials from Timor-Leste, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat also participated.

The Workshop sought to offer participatory training on theoretical and practical aspects of conflict prevention within a human security framework.

Participants had the opportunity to exchange and discuss their experiences of conflict including exploration of differing approaches, including ASEAN’s experience. There was detailed discussion of various approaches to promoting peace and avoiding violent conflict, including exchanges regarding the opportunities and challenges which exist under Pacific regional conflict prevention mechanisms, particularly the Biketawa Declaration.

(Ends)

For media enquiries please contact Mr. Johnson Honimae, Media Officer on phone (679) 331 2600, email: johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj or Ms. Mue Bentley Fisher, Communications Officer on phone 679 331 2600 or email: mueb@forumsec.org.fj