A New Alliance for Pacific Security? – FijiGlobalNews.com

Interior Minister Pio Tikoduadua has proposed the creation of an Oceanic Alliance for Island Security (OASIS) to address the growing security challenges facing Pacific island nations.

Speaking at the Maritime Security Conference in Suva, Tikoduadua stressed the critical role of maritime security in ensuring the economic stability, food security and sovereignty of the region. He noted that the security of maritime environments is vital to the well-being of Pacific peoples, whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on the ocean.

Tikoduadua noted that the increasing pressure on the vast Pacific Ocean is now drawing attention due to geopolitical conflicts and strategic power competition. He stated: “Strategic power competition, not only for marine resources but also for leadership in the Blue Pacific, Asia-Pacific or Indo-Pacific, depending on the perspective, has drawn the attention of powerful nations to our vast ocean.”

In light of these challenges, the Minister proposed OASIS as a formal platform for Pacific Island States to work together on various security issues. These include tackling transnational organised crime, addressing climate change and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

“OASIS would ensure that our voices are not drowned out by the geopolitical competition around us,” Tikoduadua stated. He stressed the need for collective action, noting that Pacific Island countries are often not visible on the world stage.

He called for unity among nations, stressing that only through cooperation can they secure a prosperous shared future. “In a world where Pacific Island nations are often overshadowed, we must stand together,” he declared.

The two-day maritime security workshop, which concludes tomorrow, aims to foster inter-agency cooperation and develop strategies to protect the region’s maritime domains for current and future generations. Tikoduadua expressed hope that the discussions would yield tangible actions that would extend beyond the conference and enhance the security and prosperity of the Pacific in the long term.