Fiji eyes reviewing security strategy

A review into developing Fiji's security and defense strategy was discussed at a consultation forum attended by officials from the Ministry of Defense and various stakeholders on Friday.

Esala Teleni, chairman of Fiji's Defense Review Committee, opened the day-long forum on "National Security and Defense Review " and highlighted the importance of Fiji's defense sector.

The forum was a follow-up consultation to the one-day national security forum opened by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama last month.

Teleni highlighted that the reports would contain a framework to guarantee civilian oversight over the security and defense sector.

"It will also contain a framework for our new national security system which will guarantee our security, safety, preparedness and response to challenges of today and the challenges of tomorrow," Teleni said.

Fiji, like other countries, is vulnerable to the expanding global networks of cybercrime, transnational organized crimes, terrorism and other illegal activities, he said.

"Our vulnerability includes risks and threats relating to bio- security and the devastating effects of climate change...the government has put in a lot of effort and priority into the review as it will guide us on how well we try to maintain our security, welfare, social progress and prosperity of our nation," said Teleni.

While closing the forum, Permanent Secretary Osea Cawaruthe of the Ministry of Defense, National Security and Immigration said the baseline to develop the national security strategy has been achieved.

"It would be pleasing to note that the pathway to further consultations with other sectors of the community is also envisaged to be successful," said Cawaru.

The review committee will receive input from local partners and also engage with regional and international partners to conclude the project, and the consultation will lead to a formulation of Fiji's security report which would be the basis of the National Security Strategy, Defense, Police, Immigration and Intelligence report, according to Fiji's Department of Information.

According to leaked documents published in New Zealand earlier this week, Australia's top-secret electronic espionage agency, the Australian Signals Directorate, has allegedly been working intimately with its New Zealand counterpart, the Government Communications Security Bureau, to obtain comprehensive access to telecommunication networks across Indonesia and the South Pacific.

When asked for comments by the Fiji Sun earlier this month in regard to the spying allegations, Teleni said spying will be part of a comprehensive review of the national security. Endi