At the opening of the two-day South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces under the theme of “Our Blue PACIFIC: Partnership and Coordination of Resources – Post COVID Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa zeroed in on concern to our Blue Pacific region.
As well as the need to strengthen relations and partnerships already forged amongst the Maritime Forces throughout the Pacific.
Hosted by the Ministry of Police and Prisons, Fiame who was the keynote speaker said this meeting will provide the platform to discuss how COVID-19 has changed how we can better inform effective joint responses to address the challenges we face, as well as events and issues that test our regional security, peace and stability.
“You will all be aware of our region’s current geopolitical and geostrategic context.
“There is intensified interest and jostling for attention in our Blue Pacific region, creating a very crowded and complex geopolitical landscape for all of us, and our regional architecture. “It underlines the need for an integrated and comprehensive security architecture, incorporating an expanded concept of security that is reflected in the Boe Declaration on Regional Security.”
Also a stable and resilient security environment provides the platform for achieving our region’s sustainable development aspirations and partnerships are very important in this regard.
“There is clear need to leverage our strong relations with our global partners to build back better post-COVID-19, and to address the challenges of climate change and regional security.
“Samoa shares very close relations and cultural ties with all Pacific Island countries. “As our region becomes an increasingly contested space, there is greater reason that our national and regional stability are key in our joint efforts to maintain peace and security, prosperity and wellbeing of all Pacific peoples.
“We have not been alone in our efforts in this regard and I wish to acknowledge the generous support and generosity of our partners to strengthen the capabilities of our countries, including support for enhanced maritime surveillance needs and enforcement operations to defend against regional maritime security threats, such as illegal fishing and transnational crime.”
Fiame said acknowledged that this opportunity will recognise the depths of relations and collaborations of all our partners present here today.
“Your continued support and collaboration in ensuring a secured Blue Pacific is warmly appreciated. I take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the Royal New Zealand Navy, as the Secretariat for the South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces, for its support and assistance in facilitating arrangements for this meeting.”
