Pacific Countries Identify Key Priorities for Improving Security Sector Governance in the Region
[Nuku’alofa – 1 May] The three-day conference on "Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Region,” came to a close yesterday with the five Pacific Island Countries present identifying key priority areas where support to enhance the management and oversight of the security sector in the Pacific is needed.
When delivering the Co- Chair’s executive summary of the conference, Jean-Luc Stalon, Senior Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor at the UNDP Pacific Centre said national delegates from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu identified development of national security policies and strategies; capacity-strengthening programmes for civil society; provision of support to improve parliamentary oversight; development of gender sensitive policies and programmes; and strengthening the capacity of Ombudsman institution to improve accountability of the security sector as the main areas where support from UNDP and international and regional organizations could be needed.
The executive summary also highlighted the importance of external accountability and oversight mechanisms including an effective Parliament with adequate resources and capable and independent accountability institutions including the Ombudsman, the Leadership Code Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Independent Commission against Corruption.
Mr Rick Nimmo, Director of the Political Governance and Security Programme of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Co- Chair of the conference emphasized that the Pacific Leaders outlined a vision for the Pacific as a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity.
“This conference has been consistent with the spirit of the Leaders’ vision in ensuring that international good practice and lessons learned are brought to the Pacific and that Pacific experiences can be shared at the global level,” he added.
Presentations from a wide range of international and Pacific experts in the field, gave national delegations a comprehensive understanding of international good practice and global norms on security sector governance but the importance of national security policies being based on country needs and priorities was also noted.
Ministers present at the meeting also indicated the possibility of having national conferences on Security Sector Governance, based on national priorities and needs, and supported by international partners including UNDP and PIFS.
Mr Garry Wiseman, Manager of the UNDP Pacific Centre said UNDP will be ready to provide support to the countries present at the conference.
“Based on the identified priorities, UNDP stands ready to support national actors and civil society to develop appropriate strategies to respond to their priorities through a regional framework to support countries in developing Security Sector Governance initiatives,” he said.
The first of its kind conference in the Pacific Region was hosted by the UNDP Pacific Centre in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The topics covered during the three days of deliberation included Security Sector Governance: Global and Pacific; Security Sector Governance and Co-operation in the Pacific - status and needs; Executive, Legislative and Civil Society Oversight of the Security Sector; institution building and accountability of the security sector; and Gender and Security Sector Governance.
The Statement by the Co-Chairs is attached to this press release and can be downloaded from www.undppc.org.fj/pressreleases
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For more information please contact:
Snehal Morris, Communications Officer on (676) 7735262 or (679) 3300399
Email: snehal.morris@undp.org
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