The National Security Strategy (NSS) Workshop is timely as it ensures that we evaluate our National Security Strategy and align it to the Boe Declaration and that it is reflective of its Strategic Focus Areas.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Defence, National Security & Foreign Affairs, Hon. Inia Seruiratu while opening the NSS workshop at Novotel, Lami this morning.
“Fiji, being part of a community of Small Island Developing States, shares common security challenges with its neighbouring island countries.
Some of these challenges have been enduring and others emerging threats that come with its own peculiar set of complexities.
“Moreover, the shifting global and regional geo-politics which is largely defined by the interests of various state actors within our island state communities has essentially brought about dynamic changes and an incrementally crowded region,” Minister Seruiratu said.
Minister Seruiratu also said that through the shared insight and vision of our regional leaders in Nauru in 2018, Fiji endorsed the Boe Declaration which has built on and complemented the 2000 Biketawa Declaration, emphasizing an expanded concept of security that is inclusive of human security, environmental security, Humanitarian assistance and regional cooperation in building resilience to disasters and climate change.
The two-day workshop is being co-hosted by the Australia Pacific Security College (APSC) and includes participants from border security agencies who are key stakeholders to the national security department.
The event follows the October 2019 Pacific Islands Forum Officials Sub Committee meeting on Regional Security.