30/05/2026
Pacific Customs Leaders Unite to Strengthen Border Security, Trade and Economic Growth
Customs leaders from 24 Pacific administrations will convene in Fiji from 2–4 June 2026 for the 28th Annual Conference of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), reaffirming their collective commitment to protecting Pacific communities, securing borders, facilitating trade, and supporting sustainable economic growth across the Blue Pacific. Hosted by Fiji under its Chairmanship of the OCO, the conference will bring together Heads of Customs, senior government officials, development partners, and international organisations under the theme: "Scaling Up the Commitment of Customs to Protect and Grow our Pasifika Communities."
At a time when the Pacific faces increasing pressures from transnational organised crime, evolving trade patterns, and growing demands on border agencies, the conference will focus on strengthening regional cooperation and building the capabilities needed to meet these challenges. Recent large-scale narcotics seizures across the Pacific have highlighted the growing interest of organised criminal networks in exploiting regional maritime and aviation routes. Human trafficking, illicit financial flows, customs fraud, environmental crimes, and the smuggling of prohibited goods continue to present significant risks to the social and economic wellbeing of Pacific nations.
OCO Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), Udit Singh, said Customs administrations play a critical role in protecting communities while enabling economic development. "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." Mr Singh said that while Pacific nations may be geographically dispersed, they face many common challenges that require collective action. "The scale and complexity of modern border threats mean that no country can address these issues alone. Regional cooperation is essential.
When one Pacific border is strengthened, the entire region becomes safer and more secure." He added that the Pacific occupies an increasingly important position within global trade and transport networks, making effective Customs administrations critical to both regional and international security. "The Pacific sits at the crossroads of major maritime and aviation routes connecting Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. Strong Customs administrations help protect these trade corridors while ensuring legitimate goods, travellers, and investment continue to move efficiently across our region."
The conference will feature contributions from international partners including the World Customs Organization, United Nations, World Bank, and other regional stakeholders. Discussions will focus on border security, maritime enforcement, trade facilitation, passenger processing, digital transformation, leadership development, and strengthening intelligence-sharing arrangements across the Pacific. During Fiji's tenure as Chair of the OCO, the organisation has prioritised regional capacity building, leadership development, modernisation of customs systems, and stronger partnerships with international agencies. These initiatives have helped strengthen Customs administrations across the Pacific and enhance their ability to respond to emerging threats and opportunities.
This year's conference also marks more than a decade since Fiji last hosted the OCO Annual Conference, underscoring Fiji's continued commitment to regional leadership and collaboration.
Mr Singh said the conference represents an important opportunity for Pacific Customs leaders to shape the future of border management in the region. "As trade volumes grow, passenger movements increase, and criminal networks become more sophisticated, Customs administrations must continue to evolve. This conference reflects our shared commitment to ensuring our borders remain secure, efficient, and resilient for future generations."
The members of the Oceania Customs Organisation include American Samoa, Australia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
