By RACHNA LAL
An expert believes whilst Fiji faces no issues in terms of civil aviation security, there is a need to be aware of the global developments.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Economic Development Division deputy director transport, Brian Riches, made these comments yesterday.
His comments come as the organisation prepares to host the two-day 4th Pacific Directors of Civil Aviation: Aviation Security Forum which starts tomorrow.
The forum, organised in collaboration with the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services, will be held at the SPC Suva Regional Office in Nabua.
Mr Riches believes Fiji is setting examples in the Pacific regional as one of the bigger island national in terms of civil aviation security.
“Fiji has the ability to assist other regional countries do things better and faster,” he said.
On the agenda
The forum is expected to provide an opportunity for regulators of aviation security from Pacific Island countries and territories to share ideas, enhance understanding and promote co-operative approaches to the achievement of aviation security outcomes.
The forum is expected to deliberate current and emerging issues.
These include international developments and compliance with international boarder obligations, cargo security, screening technology and last port of call requirements.
It will also include presentations from member countries on their developments, improvements and challenges and also from development agencies/partners and donor organisations on their current and future activities.
Participants
Mr Riches said there will be around 20 to 30 participants at the forum from the region, and also people from Australia, New Zealand, USA and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He said they have also received confirmed participation from Fiji Airways and Air Vanuatu.
Need for the forum
It is estimated that airlines globally will welcome 3.6 billion passengers in 2016.
At the same time, threats to civil aviation are constantly evolving and the Pacific region is not immune to them.
The Pacific region is unique and the region’s island countries and territories have limited capacity to provide their own comprehensive aviation security arrangements and standards.
The strengthening of regional partnerships is therefore imperative to ensuring that efforts to address aviation security issues in the region are well-co-ordinated and executed.