The National Security Strategy is a new overarching document which sets out priorities for the future.

This was revealed by Minister for Defence and National Security, Inoke Kubuabola as he opened the two-day workshop on National Security Strategy awareness workshop.

Mr Kubuabaola said the strategy would provide the basis for establishing a strong, effective, and modern architecture and system that had the capacity and capability of responding to the evolving security needs of Fiji.

About 80 representatives from all Government ministries were part of the workshop that included group discussions and presentation sessions on the NSS objectives.

‘We understand that Fiji is faced with an evolving security paradigm and the emergence of new security challenges,” said Mr Kubuabola.

He said one of the Government’s priorities was to develop a strategy that would safeguard the national security of Fiji’s communities and peoples.

Manager research and development of the Ministry of Defence and National Security, Tiale Vuiyasawa said some of the challenges were information sharing from the different ministries in regards to security.

“The important factor for us is to come together and to work on a common objective and with the leading agencies and its mechanisms,” said Mr Vuiyasawa.

Mr Vuiyasawa said participants included those involved in planning, and that was the main area that ties in to the processes of the NSS.

“The training today is more on awareness and reaching out to grassroots communities,” he said.

The workshop was facilitated by the National Defence and Security Review Committee, and chaired by Fiji’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Esala Teleni.

One of the main outcomes for the workshop was to find a lead agency for each of the 13 objectives under the National Security Strategy. Awareness on the NSS will also be taken to schools around the country.

The second day of the workshop will include diplomatic representatives and members of the civil society organisations and will conclude today.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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