Tikoduadua proposes Oceanic Alliance for Pacific Island States

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua has called for the creation of a formal alliance among Pacific Island nations to tackle growing maritime security challenges.

Speaking during the Maritime Security Conference held at the Grand Pacific Hotel yesterday, the Minister said the proposed “Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States” (OASIS) would aim to protect the region from threats such as illegal fishing, transnational crime and the effects of climate change.

“As inhabitants of the Pacific, our connection to the ocean is profound. Our food, economic security, and well-being are intricately linked to maritime security. We must take decisive action to ensure the protection of our maritime domain,” Mr Tikoduadua emphasised.

He further elaborated on the strategic importance of the Blue Pacific, noting that geopolitical competition between the China and the United States and their allies, has placed Fiji and its neighbors under an increasing spotlight.

Mr Tikoduadua stressed that the Pacific must assert control over its resources and take decisive action to secure its future.

The Minister’s remarks were echoed by the British High Commissioner, Brian Jones, who highlighted the evolving nature of maritime security.

“Maritime security isn’t just about the surface of the sea, it’s also about the seabed and the cables that carry billions of dollars’ worth of data and the satellites that guide and control out modern shipping,” he said.

The UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office, Munkhtuya Altangerel also stressed the need to empower local maritime communities as the “first line of defense” against threats in the vast Pacific Ocean.

“If the enemy encounters maritime communities that are empowered, prosperous and dignified, who can serve as the eyes and ears, then probably that enemy will have to think twice or three times before actually determining,” Ms Altangerel said.

The two-day Maritime Security Conference, attended by representatives from government agencies, King’s College London, and other stakeholders, aims to facilitate collaboration among government agencies and explore opportunities to sustain and protect Fiji’s maritime areas for the benefit of present and future generations.

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