Fiji to Host Oceania Customs Organisation Conference on Regional Security and Trade

Fiji will host the 28th Annual Conference of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) next month, welcoming customs leaders from 24 Pacific administrations. This marks the first time Fiji has hosted the event in a decade, highlighting its significance for regional cooperation.

The conference convenes under the theme “Scaling up the commitment of customs to protect and grow our Pasifika communities.” It aims to address increasing pressures from transnational organized crime and the growing demands placed on border agencies. Key objectives include fostering regional cooperation and enhancing capabilities to protect Pacific communities, secure borders, facilitate trade, and support sustainable economic growth.

OCO Chair and FRCS Chief Executive Officer Udit Singh stressed the critical role customs administrations play. "Customs today is far more than a border agency," Singh stated. "We are guardians of our communities, facilitators of trade, protectors of government revenue, and partners in economic growth. The work of Customs directly impacts the prosperity, safety, and resilience of our Pacific nations."

Singh further noted the Pacific's growing importance in global trade and transport networks. He emphasized that effective customs administrations are therefore vital not only for regional security but also for international security. The conference is expected to drive collaborative efforts to strengthen these essential functions across the Pacific region.

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Customs today is far more than a border agency. We are guardians of our communities, facilitators of trade, protectors of government revenue, and partners in economic growth. The work of Customs directly impacts the prosperity, safety, and resilience of our Pacific nations.