We Need an Urgent Solution: Rabuka
“My Government is committed to building peace… at home, in the Pacific, and on the global stage,” Mr Rabuka told participants.
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | 15:14
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva in Suva on June 24, 2024.Photo: Pacific Security College
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is urging security enforces of the region to act now on issues of security affecting Pacific island states.
He said this during the opening the three-day Pacific Regional and National Security Conference Opening Ceremony in Suva yesterday.
The inaugural conference, presented by the Pacific Security College, brings together representatives and experts from all members of the Pacific Islands Forum and beyond.
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This is in hopes of addressing the region’s pressing security challenges.
“My Government is committed to building peace… at home, in the Pacific, and on the global stage,” Mr Rabuka told participants.
“This is why I am so pleased you have gathered, in a spirit of friendship and shared purpose, to also promote peace and security,” he said.
“Because, sisters and brothers, when I think about the legacy I want to leave my children and grandchildren… we must, we must, work together to tackle the polycrisis before our great Blue Pacific.
“I believe on Wednesday you will conduct a futures exercise, to consider the decades ahead to 2050. What legacy will we leave our children and grandchildren? These are the most important questions.
From left: Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Director Pacific Security College Professor Dave Peebles at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva in Suva on June 24, 2024.Photo: Pacific Security College
“To leave a good future, we are called to urgent action now.”
He added there was a polycrisis affecting the great Blue Pacific, and how the Fijian government was responding to it head on.
“Fiji, through the combined efforts of our border agencies, and the support of our partners, has carried out many drug raids in recent times.
“The value of the drugs seized is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. This is the reality Fiji faces as a hub and transit point in the Pacific
“We know that crime and criminal groups do not respect borders. Rather, they manipulate borders in their business model.
“These criminal groups can only be disrupted and dismantled by all of us working together.
“I look forward to hearing the Conference’s ideas for how we can fight the scourge of transnational crime and drugs.”
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
