KOROR: The 17th annual Oceania Customs Organization or OCO conference was held here last week as delegates from OCO member countries met for three days to engage and address the status and challenges of border security, revenue collections, trade facilitation and communication and coordination between stakeholder agencies.
When lack of coordination arises, visible gaps in the borders will allow criminals to take advantage of these gaps and exploit our resources, risking the livelihood of our people. The connection with other agencies such as customs, immigration, bio-security, airport authority and national police at the borders, is vital in our national line of defense against criminal groups, and other transnational criminals.
The Oceania Customs Organization, especially national customs authorities have a significant role in supporting the Regional Collective Action that aims toward economic integration through trade to ensure greater economic well-being and sustainability of the people.
As mentioned by Palau’s President Tommy Remengesau in his keynote address, “The Pacific Ocean has become a desirable route for drug smugglers and [illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing or] IUU’s, from east to west and north to south. Transnational criminal elements understand our vulnerabilities better than ourselves. They’re always trying to be one step ahead of our efforts. That is why systems such as Risk Management, Sharing of Information and Intelligence and working together to protect the borders have become a crucial element of our defense against transnational crime including terrorism.”
He said the message is clear and emphasizes the importance of coordinating our efforts and sharing our resources by working together for the common good of our people.
“National agencies of government and specifically border agencies such as customs, immigration, bio-security, airport authority and national police must work together by coordinating their efforts to secure our national borders. Lack of coordination at the border creates visible gaps in our national line of defense and allows criminal groups to exploit and take advantage of these gaps at the expense of the livelihoods of our own people, the very people who we as governments have a responsibility to protect.
“By adopting an inclusive approach, emphasis is placed on connecting with other agencies at the border through further enhancement of collaboration and cooperation,” said Remengesau.
“As a regional organization, the OCO and in particular national customs authorities have an important role to play in supporting the Regional Collective Actions towards economic integration through trade to ensure greater economic well-being and sustainability of our people. Customs authorities must ensure that our societies are protected against the menaces of transnational criminal activities across our porous borders. It is our collective responsibility as governments to ensure that the basic necessities exist for our people to achieve their full potential.
“In this day and age, the region is linked more closely than ever before — and no country can remain isolated and shield itself from what goes on around it. We have seen the devastations caused by cyclones and typhoons that is fed in its paths by the ocean that we all share as our home. The same vulnerability exists in the protection of our borders,” said President Remengesau.
He said the conference takes place at a time of great challenge to the OCO and its members.
“A challenge that has serious repercussions for the future of the organization and its Secretariat and its ability to remain relevant to the needs of its members.
“It is a challenge that requires the collective effort of each member to bring the Secretariat back on track through the reforms that are currently being implemented.
“I am informed that important agendas such as the 2015-2017 Strategic Plan, the OCO Capability Plan, proposed Constitution and Charter of the Steering Committee will be discussed,” Remengesau said.
Organized by the Oceania Customs Organization Secretariat and the Palau Bureau of Customs, Revenue and Taxation, the conference ended on June 23.
