Immigration Directors Meet
PRESS STATEMENT
26th September
59/06
2006 Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference
Directors of Immigration from 17 countries across the Pacific will attend the 10th annual Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference (PIDC), to be held in Wellington, New Zealand, 17th - 19th October 2006.
The theme for this year is: "Strengthened border management across the region to contribute to improved social and economic well being and security in the Pacific". Immigration Directors will discuss, among other things, the role of migration in economic and social development, identity fraud, people smuggling, human trafficking, and border security issues as part of efforts to strengthen border management in the Pacific region.
"The conference will also discuss the future direction of the organisation, including how the PIDC can better meet the needs of its members in the increasingly complex environment of international people movement, as well as the goals of the Pacific Plan," Dr. Lesi Korovavala, the Chair of the PIDC and CEO for Home Affairs & Immigration in Fiji said.
"The PIDC acknowledges the growing frequency and intensity of people movement in the Pacific and the challenges Pacific island countries face in managing these increased migration flows. The strength of the PIDC arrangement lies in its pragmatism while still according full respect to the individuality of the members.
"The approach adopted by the PIDC is one of small incremental steps starting with what each member has allowing the gradual improvement of border management in the Pacific over time. It is in this way that the PIDC membership works together to promote the spirit of the Pacific family," Dr. Korovavala said.
"The PIDC is part of the regional effort to realise the objectives of the Pacific Plan and the Millennium Development Goals. Accordingly, the PIDC will continue to work on a cooperative basis with other regional law enforcement agencies as well as Asia/Pacific arrangements on migration matters".
The Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference is a forum for official Immigration Agencies of the Pacific Region. It was established in 1996 as a result of an initiative taken by the first PIDC, sponsored by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
In addition to Immigration officials, regional and international observer organisations have been invited to attend the 2006 conference. The observers will provide a further perspective on current and future migration trends in the region, border security, refugees and displaced persons, and immigration associated transnational organised crime.
ENDS.
For further information please contact: Matthew Gibbs Head of Secretariat Ph: DDI 679 322 0363 or 679 331 2600
26th September
59/06
2006 Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference
Directors of Immigration from 17 countries across the Pacific will attend the 10th annual Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference (PIDC), to be held in Wellington, New Zealand, 17th - 19th October 2006.
The theme for this year is: "Strengthened border management across the region to contribute to improved social and economic well being and security in the Pacific". Immigration Directors will discuss, among other things, the role of migration in economic and social development, identity fraud, people smuggling, human trafficking, and border security issues as part of efforts to strengthen border management in the Pacific region.
"The conference will also discuss the future direction of the organisation, including how the PIDC can better meet the needs of its members in the increasingly complex environment of international people movement, as well as the goals of the Pacific Plan," Dr. Lesi Korovavala, the Chair of the PIDC and CEO for Home Affairs & Immigration in Fiji said.
"The PIDC acknowledges the growing frequency and intensity of people movement in the Pacific and the challenges Pacific island countries face in managing these increased migration flows. The strength of the PIDC arrangement lies in its pragmatism while still according full respect to the individuality of the members.
"The approach adopted by the PIDC is one of small incremental steps starting with what each member has allowing the gradual improvement of border management in the Pacific over time. It is in this way that the PIDC membership works together to promote the spirit of the Pacific family," Dr. Korovavala said.
"The PIDC is part of the regional effort to realise the objectives of the Pacific Plan and the Millennium Development Goals. Accordingly, the PIDC will continue to work on a cooperative basis with other regional law enforcement agencies as well as Asia/Pacific arrangements on migration matters".
The Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference is a forum for official Immigration Agencies of the Pacific Region. It was established in 1996 as a result of an initiative taken by the first PIDC, sponsored by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
In addition to Immigration officials, regional and international observer organisations have been invited to attend the 2006 conference. The observers will provide a further perspective on current and future migration trends in the region, border security, refugees and displaced persons, and immigration associated transnational organised crime.
ENDS.
For further information please contact: Matthew Gibbs Head of Secretariat Ph: DDI 679 322 0363 or 679 331 2600
