“Cybercrime is a complex and rapidly evolving transnational phenomenon that knows no national borders.”

These were the sentiments of the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo while officiating at the National Conference on Cybercrime for Prosecutors at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, in Denarau, Nadi this week.

Vosarogo said cybercrime poses a significant threat to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as to national and international security.

“As we navigate this digital age, it is crucial that we stay ahead of the curve, ensuring our criminal justice systems are equipped to handle the unique challenges posed by cybercrime.”

“This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our criminal justice authorities in dealing with cybercrime cases and electronic evidence. We have already seen the benefits of this cooperation in action. Earlier this year, the Electronic Evidence workshop for Fiji Police Force officials was successfully conducted, demonstrating the practical impact of our collaborative efforts,” said Vosarogo.

Fiji has partnered with the Council of Europe, aligning our Cybercrime Act with the Convention’s principles, enhancing the capacity of our criminal justice authorities, and fostering collaboration through the 24 by 7 Network.

As an observer, Fiji joins the 72 parties to the Convention and 20 observer countries, harmonising our laws to ensure prompt and efficient international cooperation in prosecuting cyber offences.

I am also pleased to announce that during the Parliament’s May sitting, a motion was passed for Fiji to accede to the Budapest Convention. This is a significant milestone in our journey towards strengthening our cybersecurity framework.”

“The Cybercrime Act 2021, which came into force on November 14, 2022, and the Online Safety Act 2018, have equipped our enforcement agencies with robust legislative tools to combat cyber offences. The Cybercrime Act provides a modern framework to address cyber threats.”

“Our commitment to cybersecurity is reflected in our National Development Plan, which identifies cyber safety and combating cybercrime as high-priority areas. Recently, we hosted a three-day validation workshop for the inaugural development of Fiji’s National Digital Strategy, in partnership with the International Telecommunications Union and the United Nations Office for Project Services. This strategy aims to propel Fiji into the digital economy, fostering economic growth, job creation, and enhanced consumer choice, with cybersecurity as a key component,” he added.

“We are also conducting our second Cybersecurity Maturity Model Review in partnership with the UK Government, establishing a National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), and strengthening our cooperation with CERT organisations.”

He said that the team from the Ministry of Communications and the Australian Ambassador for Cyber and Critical Technology have commenced discussions on the implementation plan.

“This conference is a significant step towards enhancing our collective capacity to combat cybercrime. Let us use this platform to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and strengthen our resolve to protect our digital future,” the Minister concluded.