13 Jun 2016

Regional secretariat moves from Fiji to Samoa

1:28 pm on 13 June 2016
Apia CBD the capital of Samoa.

Apia's central business district. Photo: RNZI/Koroi Hawkins

The head office of the Pacific Immigration Directors Conference Secretariat will be moved from Fiji to Samoa.

At a ceremony in Apia last week attended by representatives from across the region, Samoa's prime minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, signed a deal formalising the move.

Tuila'epa says the move shows Samoa's commitment to supporting the secretariat's vision of border integrity across the Pacific.

He says that with the increase in illegal activities related to people's movements, as well as drugs and arms smuggling, there is an imperative need for the region to mutually manage their gateways.