Cybercrimes, climate change remain threats to Pacific island countries
While officially opening the conference today, Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the ever evolving security threats due to organized transnational crimes place all our Pacific states at risk and it is vitally significant that these are properly addressed at all fronts.
“The complexity of these crimes requires effective planning, timely response, advanced equipment and collective efforts from all PIDC member countries,” he said.
Tuilaepa also highlighted the formidable challenge posed by climate change for Pacific States.
“The detrimental effects of climate change will cause internal and external displacements to many of our people living on low lying islands. These are serious and complex security concerns which are not easy to address.”
Tuilaepa said the Pacific Island Forum leaders have been very proactive in pushing for concerted response to climate change at the regional and international levels.
“The Paris Agreement and the Green Climate Fund are some of the profound outcomes of these efforts.”
Tuilaepa also recognised that the PIDC through its strategic plan will position itself in the future to become the coordinating center in the Pacific for migration liaison, with strong emphasis on research, effective and timely information and Intel sharing and assisting member countries to build and improve staff professional development.
“It is also encouraging to note that the PIDC has included labor mobility in its plan, which most of the PIDC member countries are benefitting from with bilateral agreements with New Zealand and Australia. This is further strengthened by the conclusion of the PACER Plus negotiations.”
The prime minister noted some territories are yet to be a part of the PIDC family and urged them to become members.
LoopSamoa/Photo by Government of Samoa
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