Tuvalu has called for stronger United Nations support to address the growing security challenges facing Pacific island nations, telling the UN General Assembly Summit that small island states cannot confront these threats on their own.
Speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Tuvalu, Police Commissioner Matatia Makaili said the country of about 11,000 people is responsible for policing more than 750,000 square kilometres of ocean despite having limited law enforcement resources.
Commissioner Makaili thanked United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for the invitation to attend the summit and acknowledged the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for supporting Tuvalu’s participation.
He told the Assembly that Pacific nations face overlapping security threats, including transnational crime, maritime crime, human trafficking and the impacts of climate change.
“Our region faces a perfect storm of transnational crime, climate displacement, nuclear testing in our ocean, and tiny island nations facing converging resource constraints.
We are the victim. We cannot face this alone,” he said.
Commissioner Makaili urged the international community to establish four Pacific-focused United Nations coordination frameworks to strengthen maritime security, build law enforcement capacity, improve responses to the climate-crime nexus and support regional prosecution efforts.
He also called on world leaders to back their commitments with concrete action.
“We need commitments, not promises. Resources, not rhetoric. Action, not analysis. Pacific Island security is global security… Together, we build a stronger future,” he said.
Tuvalu said its participation at the summit provided an opportunity to highlight Pacific security concerns and push for stronger international partnerships to address the challenges facing small island developing states.
