Op Ed: Australia and Samoa Combatting Transnational Serious and Organised Crime

By HE William Robinson
Australian High Commissioner to Samoa

Apia, SAMOA – 03 July 2026 – Australia, Samoa, and all Pacific countries are facing challenges to our border and regional security, particularly transnational serious and organised crime. Drug trafficking is placing real pressure on our border security agencies.

Communities in Samoa and Australia alike have felt the impact of drug trafficking and organised crime, including from the tragic incident of a shooting in Vietnam. On behalf of the Australian Government, I acknowledge the work of Samoan law enforcement agencies in responding to this incident, in partnership with the Australian Federal Police.

As this incident has shown us, no country can tackle these challenges alone – we are stronger together. With trust and shared purpose, Pacific countries are collaborating to ensure the region remains peaceful, prosperous, and secure – security of the Pacific, by the Pacific, for the Pacific.

Australia recognises the connection between developed country markets for illicit drugs and drug trafficking across the Pacific. Accordingly, we are supporting Pacific-led action on countering transnational crime through regional security cooperation and capability uplifts in Pacific countries.

Under the Pacific Policing Initiative, the Australian Federal Police are supporting the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence in Samoa, which will see police from across the Pacific come to Samoa to combat and respond to transnational serious and organised crime. This initiative will build upon the existing Australian Federal Police programs in Samoa – the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (PTCCC) and the Samoa-Australia Police Partnership (SAPP).

The Pacific Maritime Support Program, delivered by Australian Defence Australia, supports the protection and patrolling of Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone through maritime security capability training and the upkeeping of Samoa’s Guardian Class Patrol Boat, the Nafanua III.

Since the appointment of the first Australian Border Force officer in Samoa nearly three years ago, Australia’s partnership with the Ministry of Customs has gone from strength to strength.

Last week, the Australian Border Force, in partnership with RMIT University, brought together 30 women from across Customs, Police, Immigration, Biosecurity and Corrections to strengthen leadership across Samoa’s security sector through the Pacific Women’s Professional Development Program 2026 (PWPDP).

The PWPDP has been held over the past six years for women in customs across the region. This year is the first iteration hosted by a single country for the full spectrum of the security sector.

With border threats becoming increasingly complex, interconnected and transnational, we understand the importance of maintaining strong collaboration across security agencies. The PWPDP has come to Samoa at a crucial time for the region.

With speakers from across Samoa, including Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo and former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, the PWPDP supported improved inter-agency understanding, communication, and coordination, and fostered future ready leaders with the capabilities needed to combat transnational criminal activity in the Pacific.

We know we cannot meet the challenges of our time if we are not drawing on the full talent, insight and leadership of our agencies – and the women within them. Across the world, we know that when women are supported to lead, institutions become stronger, more adaptive, and more effective.

When we support women’s aspirations in customs, border protection, and law enforcement, we strengthen not only individual careers but the capability of our entire system. The work of the PWPDP Graduates reflects a deep commitment to service, and a strong sense of responsibility to the people of Samoa.

This year, the theme of the PWPDP was Leading Together, With Purpose. Australia will continue to work hand in hand with Samoa, as members of the Pacific family, to tackle the challenges our region faces. We will lead together, with purpose, to build a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Pacific region today, tomorrow, and the years to come.