The Hon. Minister for Immigration, National Security and Defence Timoci Natuva addressed the 83rd Session of the Interpol General Assembly in Monaco.
In his address, he highlighted the significance of this global meet to Fiji’s own national interests.
“This year’s General Assembly theme of ‘100 Years of International Police Cooperation’ reminds us of the pivotal role played by countries sharing insights into the emerging criminal threats of tomorrow and the need for increased police cooperation in order to protect the lives of citizens in our various regions and beyond”, the Minister told delegates and participants to the meet.
“Fiji’s participation in this high level meet is based on the common interest to deepen security cooperation between Fiji and countries represented here today.”
The Minister told delegates that Fiji’s geographical location makes the country vulnerable to crimes adding that her “location in the Pacific region remains as a potential transit point for drug smuggling and other forms of transnational crime.”
He told participants that reforms carried out ensure that there is a national and regional approach towards transnational crime.
“The Fijian Government has demonstrated significant efforts to establishing national framework that would address effectively the challenges of trans-border crimes despite these challenges. The establishment of specialized units to investigate cases of illicit drug trade, human trafficking and cyber related crimes demonstrates the effort of my government to acknowledging its obligation under the international protocols and other pertinent instruments.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Minister to reaffirm Fiji’s commitment towards the work carried out by Interpol.
“The Fijian Government will continue to take steps to further strengthen our obligations and requirements under the relevant international instruments and standards on initiatives to collectively address transnational crimes and all its forms.”
“Fighting transnational crime, demands a greater and increased international cooperation from all parties concerned. The threats of transnational crimes including money laundering, human trafficking, trafficking illicit drugs etc have totally changed global policing. There is greater demand now for networking and sharing of intelligence noting the global issues that have now shaped present policing demands and to a greater extent have also affected our way of living”, the Minister added.
The Minister is leading the Fijian Delegation to the meet which includes the Commissioner of the Fiji Police Forces, Bernadus Groenewald
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