Samoa's Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, says Samoa has taken steps to ensure that it does not become a safe haven for criminals.
He has told the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Brazil that Samoa has taken the lead in the South Pacific in enacting the statute of the International Criminal Court.
He says efforts to update national laws on combatting terrorism, money-laundering and the proceeds of crime are under way, a task that will be completed by year's end.
Samoa has also established a Transitional Crime Unit and recently joined Interpol.
He says the Cabinet had recently approved the creation of separate prisons and had begun reforming the management of the penal system.
Aumua has urged member to provide Pacific nations with technical assistance and resources rather than endless missions and visits by consultants to fight organised crime, otherwise organised criminals will exploit their weakness.
