𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Suva, Fiji – The Fiji Corrections Service, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), today opened the Pacific Dialogue on Transnational Organised Crime and Corrections.

The event brings together corrections leaders and regional partners to strengthen collective responses to transnational organised crime.

The opening conference was graced by the Chief Guest, Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General, Hon. Siromi Turaga, who formally declared the event open.

In his opening remarks, Minister Turaga highlighted the growing sophistication of criminal networks and the vulnerabilities faced by Pacific Island nations due to their vast maritime spaces, smaller populations, and limited resources.

He stressed that transnational organised crime cannot be addressed by individual countries or institutions alone, calling instead for a coordinated regional response through stronger information sharing, intelligence networks, and institutional capacity.

Hon. Minister Turaga also emphasised the critical role of modern corrections within the broader criminal justice and national security frameworks.

He highlighted the need for strong intelligence mechanisms, robust security procedures, staff integrity, and the appropriate use of technology, while ensuring that rehabilitation and reintegration remain central to corrections.

UNODC Pacific Regional Adviser on Transnational Organized Crime, Ms. Megumi Hara, highlighted the need to strengthen responses across the entire criminal justice chain, including corrections. “A response to transnational organised crime that ends at the point of conviction is not a complete response,” she said.

Over the next two days, the conference will provide a platform for commissioners, senior corrections officials, and representatives from across the Pacific—alongside participants from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand—to share experiences, discuss emerging threats, and explore practical countermeasures.

Discussions will focus on opportunities for joint training, capacity building, and stronger cooperation between corrections, law enforcement, border agencies, customs, immigration, financial intelligence authorities, and other justice-sector institutions.

Minister Turaga called on participants to approach the discussions with openness and practicality, stressing that the true value of the conference will be measured by the partnerships, cooperation, and actions that follow.

Drawing on the Fijian concept of solosolevaki—meaning coming together and contributing collectively toward a common purpose—the Minister urged participants to strengthen regional unity to protect communities, safeguard institutions, and preserve peace and security across the Blue Pacific.

The Pacific Dialogue reflects a shared commitment by Fiji, the UNODC, and regional partners to building stronger, more resilient correctional and justice systems capable of responding