- Defense Institute of International Legal Studies
- “UNITED WE STAND, SEPARATED WE FALL”
“UNITED WE STAND, SEPARATED WE FALL”
0 comments
The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) conducted a Regional Maritime Domain Awareness Legal Seminar in the Republic of Kiribati from 5-9 May 2014. The program was located on the Tarawa atoll at the Marine Training Center and co-hosted by the Kiribati Ministry of Foreign Affairs with participants from ten agencies within the Government of Kiribati. Given the theme, "United we stand, separated we fall," also in attendance were regional partners from Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The seminar enabled the regional participants to focus on their current maritime threats and greatly enhance their capacities through the development of key partnerships.
Transnational crime, and in particular Human Trafficking associated with the fishing industry, is a serious threat to the entire Western and Central Pacific. In accordance with international law, every nation has the legal authority to assert special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. The establishment of regional and intra-governmental partnerships is helpful to many Pacific Island Nations in their ongoing efforts to build their respective capacities so that they can effectively patrol the thousands of square miles under their jurisdiction.
The DIILS Oceania Engagement Workshop Series unites participants from throughout the region to build partnership capacity and collectively address these important common security challenges.