NADI, FIJI – The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) today launched a specialised five-day Command, Control & Communications (C3) training program for customs officers from across the Pacific region.
Hosted in Nadi, Fiji from April 7-11, 2025, this training represents a milestone in strengthening border security capabilities across Pacific Island nations.
The C3 training program, delivered in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Maritime Crime Programme (UNODC-GMCP), focuses on enhancing decision-making, coordination, and leadership skills in high-pressure situations unique to the Pacific’s vast maritime domains.
“For our Pacific Island nations, with our extensive ocean territories and geographical challenges, effective command and control capabilities are not just beneficial – they are essential,” said Ms Nancy T Oraka, Head of Secretariat of the Oceania Customs Organisation. “This training directly addresses our region’s distinctive security threats, from illegal fishing and maritime trafficking to natural disasters that can isolate our communities.”
The training brings together customs operational staff who plan and conduct field operations across the OCO membership. Over the five-day program, participants will develop comprehensive understanding of C3 principles, enhance strategic planning for operations, improve disaster response coordination, and strengthen teamwork among regional customs agencies.
The curriculum includes specialized modules on operational planning, surveillance techniques for both land and maritime environments, contingency planning, and practical desktop exercises simulating real-world scenarios in the Pacific context.
This initiative forms a critical component of OCO’s Work Program 2024-2025 under the Law Enforcement and Border Security Strategic Focus Area, addressing key strategic priorities including:
- Enhanced Coordinated Border Management
- Intelligence-driven Risk Management
- Combat Transnational Organized Crime
Upon completion, participants will return to their respective administrations with enhanced capabilities to manage complex operations, improve interagency collaboration, and protect national borders more effectively across the Blue Pacific continent.
About OCO
The Oceania Customs Organisation is the regional body for customs administrations across the Pacific, working to enhance border security, facilitate trade, and promote cooperation among member nations.
