Ministry of Police and UNODC Partner to Enhance Maritime Security Capacity Through Innovative Village Leader Training

The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services of the Solomon Islands, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), is holding a consultant training initiative to strengthen maritime security in the Solomon Islands.

This initiative emphasizes Soft Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) training, also known as Human Intelligence (HUMINT) gathering, designed specifically for village leaders across the Solomon Islands’ extensive maritime zones. With over 900 islands and vast ocean territory, the Solomon Islands faces unique challenges including illegal fishing, transnational crime, drug trafficking, and maritime intrusions.

The training will empower village leaders—who have regular contact with coastal communities, fishermen, and maritime operators—to identify and report anomalies at sea that may indicate illicit activities. This grassroots participation is a vital complement to traditional maritime patrols, improving coordination between local communities and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

The training aligns with the Solomon Islands National Security Strategy 2025-2028, focusing on proactive, collaborative, and innovative approaches to national security challenges. It is supported by the broader UNODC GMCP efforts in the Pacific, which include capacity building through technology such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers, radar systems, and remotely operated vehicles, alongside regional cooperation forums and inter-agency coordination.

The Ministry of Police extends sincere gratitude to UNODC for their unwavering support. As stated by the Ministry’s National Security Director, Obed Rooney, during the consultation session, this partnership is crucial for developing a resilient maritime security framework backed by international best practices. The training initiative will run towards November 2025, aiming to enhance maritime law enforcement capacity while fostering community engagement.

UNODC GMCP has a strong track record in the Pacific, delivering multiple trainings and introducing innovative maritime surveillance technologies to island nations, which greatly bolster regional security cooperation. The Solomon Islands’ Soft MDA training is part of this ongoing regional effort to safeguard the Blue Pacific through enhanced surveillance, capacity building, and community empowerment.

Together, the Solomon Islands Ministry of Police, UNODC GMCP, and local communities are committed to creating a safer maritime environment that protects the nation’s valuable marine resources and preserves the security and wellbeing of all Solomon Islanders.

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-MPNSCS Press