Fiji Ready To Be Regional Hub Of UNPOL Regional Training Centre

Fiji is ready to lead.

Fiji is also ready to be declared the regional hub as a United Nations Police (UNPOL) Regional Training Centre, for the sake of our smaller island states who share the same commitment to enhancing international peace and security.

This was highlighted by Fiji’s Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho at the UN Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS) 2022 in New York this week.

Brigadier-General Qiliho was in New York to attend the UNCOPS which was held at the United Nations Headquarters. The two-day Summit was from August 31 to September 1.

He said just as Fiji opened its doors for regional polic­ing training and workshops in other fields of policing, so too would Fiji offer the same for pre-deployment peacekeeping training.

He added that collectively Fiji had the will. However, support was needed for smaller Pacific Islands states, and by having a regional hub established, we would sure to attract more interest for Police peacekeeping from the region.

“I want to reiterate that we, as Pacific law enforcement, are committed to continuing our service to humanity,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

Fiji’s Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho met James A. Walsh, the United States Department of State’s, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement in New York. Photo: Fiji Police Force.

Also, the Fiji Police Force, through Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, co-hosted with the Governments of Finland, Germany, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Rwanda, Kiribati, a pre-event discussion.

The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Op­erations, Jean Pierre Lacroix, opened the Discussions which were based on how to improve the training as­pects of Police peacekeepers and peacebuilders of the United Nations Police component of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

This event ensured that Fiji broaden its footprint in United Nations Peacekeeping Discussions at UNHQ Level on the eve of the Opening of the UNCOPS Sum­mit.

On the sidelines of the UNCOPS Summit, Brigadier-General Qiliho met James A. Walsh, the United States Department of State’s, Principal Deputy Assistant Sec­retary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law En­forcement.

Discussions focused on ongoing capacity and capabil­ity development the US Government has assisted with the Fiji Police Force and future plans to strengthen co­operation.

Mr Walsh specially thanked the Commissioner for the assistance rendered to the interdiction of the Russian Yacht, Amadea.

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj