Pacific customs leaders gather as border threats grow

Pacific Customs leaders will gather in the country this week amid growing concerns over drug trafficking, organised crime and other cross-border threats targeting the region.

Heads of Customs from 24 Pacific administrations will meet in Nadi from June 2 to 4 for the 28th Annual Conference of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), with strengthening border security and regional co-operation high on the agenda.

Hosted by Fiji under its chairmanship of the OCO, the conference comes as Pacific nations face increasing pressure from transnational organised crime networks exploiting maritime and aviation routes across the region.

Recent large-scale narcotics seizures in Fiji and other Pacific countries have underscored the growing threat posed by international criminal syndicates.

Human trafficking, illicit financial flows, customs fraud, environmental crimes and the smuggling of prohibited goods also remain significant challenges for border agencies.

The conference theme is “Scaling Up the Commitment of Customs to Protect and Grow our Pasifika Communities.”

OCO chairperson and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service chief executive officer Udit Singh said Customs agencies were at the forefront of protecting Pacific communities.

“Customs today is far more than a border agency. We are guardians of our communities, facilitators of trade, protectors of government revenue, and partners in economic growth. The work of Customs directly impacts the prosperity, safety, and resilience of our Pacific nations,” Mr Singh said.

He said no Pacific country could tackle modern border threats alone.

“The scale and complexity of modern border threats mean that no country can address these issues alone. Regional cooperation is essential. When one Pacific border is strengthened, the entire region becomes safer and more secure.”

Mr Singh said the Pacific's strategic location made effective Customs operations critical to both regional and global security.

“The Pacific sits at the crossroads of major maritime and aviation routes connecting Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. Strong Customs administrations help protect these trade corridors while ensuring legitimate goods, travellers, and investment continue to move efficiently across our region.”

The conference will bring together Customs leaders, senior government officials, development partners and international organisations, including the World Customs Organization, United Nations and World Bank.

Discussions will focus on border security, maritime enforcement, trade facilitation, passenger processing, digital transformation, leadership development and intelligence sharing across the Pacific.

Mr Singh said the conference would help shape the future of border management as criminal networks become increasingly sophisticated.

“As trade volumes grow, passenger movements increase, and criminal networks become more sophisticated, Customs administrations must continue to evolve. This conference reflects our shared commitment to ensuring our borders remain secure, efficient, and resilient for future generations.”

The Oceania Customs Organisation comprises 24 members, including Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and other Pacific nations and territories.