Pacific Island Countries and partner organizations are being supported to improve their national maritime security decision making, policy development and implementation through the development of national maritime security committees, risk registers and strategies. A joint IMO/Maritime New Zealand regional workshop on the IMO model on the Whole of Government Approach to Maritime Security is being hosted by the Government of New Zealand, in collaboration with IMO and the Pacific Community (SPC), is taking place in Rotorua, New Zealand (27-31 March).
Senior officials from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu are attending the workshop, including officials from partner organizations , including SPC, Pacific Fusion Centre and the US Coast Guard, Australian Department of Home Affairs. The workshop was officially opened with a Karakia (blessing) performed by local tribe: Hapū Ngāti Wahiao & Tūhourangi.
This is the third workshop on the IMO model on the Whole of Government Approach to Maritime Security, following workshops delivered in Djibouti and Guatemala in 2021 and 2022 respectively.