Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has called for a stronger joint effort from legal minds in the Pacific region to fight cybercrime, gender violence and corruption.

Tuilaepa, who is also the Minister of the Office of the Attorney General, issued the call when he spoke to open the 38th Pacific Islands Law Officer’s (P.I.L.O.N.) Annual Meeting, held in Samoa this week.

“Moving forward, it is imperative that we continue and encourage the joint efforts between our countries within P.I.L.O.N., in the face of increasing and progressive criminal activity within the region,” he said.

“I therefore encourage your continued work to address issues such as fighting corruption, cybercrime and gender violence in the Pacific region.”

P.I.L.O.N. is a network of senior law officers from Pacific island countries that provides a forum for addressing law and justice issues common within the region.

This is the second time Samoa has hosted P.I.L.O.N., the first being in 2009. According to the Prime Minister, P.I.L.O.N. plays an important role in addressing law and justice issues.

“The success of this gathering is dependent on the collective contribution of all our Pacific members.

“I trust that by the end of this week, much will be achieved in terms of dialogue and addressing the common challenges faced by many, if not all members within our region.

This year’s P.I.L.O.N. Annual Meeting provides once again an opportunity for members to undertake training, share ideas, and network with one another concerning relevant issues within the region.”

The Prime Minister acknowledge that the Pacific citizenry need law and order to be intact for a peaceful region.  

“We face certain challenges in our efforts to protect our citizens from criminal activities, and with the efforts of our law enforcement officers, such as the need for effective resourcing, technical skills, and where required, further changes to our laws.  

“The continued collaboration between our countries is therefore important, to help ensure the effective promotion and maintenance of law enforcement within the Pacific.  

“Having considered the matters to be discussed at this year’s annual meeting, I am pleased with the current initiative undertaken by P.I.L.O.N. to address the more recent issues facing our Pacific societies today.

“I encourage our legal minds within the Pacific to continue their efforts to devise ways to deal with and minimize the prevalence of such issues, and likewise any other issues which might pose genuine harm to societies within our region.”