Representatives of the Pacific and security community gathered in Suva this morning for the inaugural Pacific Regional National Security Conference (PRNSC).
Held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFs), the conference aims to address the region’s pressing security challenges.
It also seeks to map out the current and future regional security threats and support implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
While opening the conference, Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted that we can build peaceful and prosperous Pacific communities by cooperating and learning from each other.
“The Coalition Government that I lead is committed to building peace at home, in the Pacific, and on the global stage. This is why I am so pleased you have gathered here today, in a spirit of friendship and shared purpose to also promote peace and security,” he remarked.
“To ensure a secure and peaceful future, we are called to urgent action now.”
During the three-day conference, representatives will discuss important security issues such as transnational crime, geopolitics, human security, and climate change, which top the meeting agenda.
PM Rabuka highlighted the Ocean of Peace concept, saying that as custodians of the ocean, it is befitting that the Pacific welcomes the proposal to adopt a number of high-level principles, to guide efforts to realise this ambition and embed peace as a cornerstone of future policies and strategies.
On national security strategies, PM Rabuka congratulated those countries which have decided to embark on the voyage of creating their national security strategies.
“Fiji is on this voyage too, through our National Security and Defence Review process. This work is preceded by the development of Fiji’s first Foreign Policy White Paper which will define our values and interests. From these bases, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you as part of the Pasifika Vuvale, and formulate together how we project ourselves to the world,” he added.
“This strategy represents a pivotal step in our journey towards a secure, stable and prosperous Fiji.”
As a Pacific Vuvale, the Prime Minister urged that we must work together to safeguard our Blue Pacific for this generation and those to come.
“The Boe Declaration on Regional Security, declares the Pacific to be a region of peace, and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, are the regional guide for defence and security practitioners,” said the PM.
“We have our very own Pacific Way of leadership to guide us.
“The Pacific Way reminds us of where we have been: our traditions, our languages, our cultural values, our faith; these are the distinct foundational treasures and principles that we must take into the future with us.
“And the Pacific Way reminds us of where we want to go: of our care and concern for the next generation, and the world we want to leave for them.”
The conference is facilitated by the Pacific Security College, in partnership with ten regional organizations.
Read the PM’s speech on www.pmoffice.gov.fj
