First Fijian appointed to lead Oceania Customs Organisation

A Fijian woman has been appointed to one of the Pacific region’s most influential customs leadership roles, marking a milestone for regional trade and border security cooperation.

The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) has announced the appointment of Laisiana Tugaga as its new Head of Secretariat. She will formally assume office on June 1.

Mrs Tugaga becomes the first Fijian national to lead the OCO Secretariat and only the second woman to hold the position since the organisation was established in 1998.

Her appointment follows a competitive regional recruitment process overseen by the OCO Steering Committee.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Service chief executive officer and OCO Steering Committee chairperson Udit Singh said Mrs Tugaga was selected for her leadership and extensive experience in customs and trade.

“The Steering Committee is confident that Mrs Tugaga possesses exactly the vision and strategic acumen our organisation needs at this pivotal time. Her track record across the region speaks for itself, and we look forward to the leadership she will bring to OCO,” Mr Singh said.

Mrs Tugaga brings more than 15 years of experience in trade and customs at both national and regional levels across the Pacific.

She previously served at the OCO Secretariat as Trade and Revenue Management Adviser and most recently completed her tenure as Operations Manager at the PACER Plus Implementation Unit in Samoa. Her expertise includes trade policy, customs compliance, revenue systems and policy alignment for Pacific Island countries.

The appointment comes at a time when Pacific customs administrations are facing increasing challenges in border security, trade facilitation and alignment with international customs standards.

Mrs Tugaga will be formally introduced to OCO members during the organisation’s Annual Conference in Nadi on June 1.

The Oceania Customs Organisation represents 24 countries and territories across the Pacific and plays a key role in strengthening customs administration, regional trade and border security.