Solomon Star News

SIR Peter Kenilorea has appealed to all Pacific island nations to develop a comprehensive national security policy.

Speaking at the launching of a new publication on security sector governance on Wednesday last week, Sir Peter said the idea of developing a policy would encompass all other priority needs such as strengthening the Prime Ministers office, creation of an independent national research institution, supporting the Anti-Corruption Taskforce and strengthening the local police force.

“These are areas that I believe every other Island nation currently lack or need improvements on”, he said.

He said each government from the Island nations around the region should take time to look through the publication because it would create more opportunities to foster genuine and appropriate security sector governance to guide governments, parliament and civil society.

He encouraged governments in all the pacific countries to progress national sessions on security sector governance.

“I encourage all the regional bodies particularly the Pacific Islands Forum to play an oversight  role in respect of security sector governance reform throughout the region to act as a central focal point for the countries involved and to take collective action where necessary”, Sir Peter said.

He added that the security sector governance is rapidly gaining momentum worldwide and the Pacific Islands nations must make use of the full opportunity.

By DOUGLAS MARAU