The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs today hosted a High Level Validation Workshop for Fiji’s Maritime Security Strategy at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva, bringing together stakeholders from across Government and partner agencies.

Opening the workshop, Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua stressed the importance of strengthening Fiji’s maritime security framework amid growing regional and global security challenges.

He said Fiji’s maritime space remains vital to the nation’s security, economy, trade, transportation, food security and regional connectivity.

The workshop focused on validating national maritime security priorities while improving inter-agency coordination, information sharing and preparedness.

Discussions also addressed key concerns including illegal fishing, transnational organised crime, illicit trafficking and border security threats, alongside efforts to strengthen maritime domain awareness and operational cooperation.

The Ministry acknowledged the support of the United Nations Development Programme in supporting the development of the strategy.

Once completed, the Maritime Security Strategy will provide a whole-of-government and whole-of-society framework aimed at protecting Fiji’s maritime interests and strengthening regional and international partnerships.