Transnational organised crime in the Pacific Islands: a changing landscape

Presented by ANU College of Law, Governance & Policy

This presentation analyses evolving criminal dynamics in the Pacific islands, their intersection with geopolitical competition, and implications for tailored responses.

In the 21st century the Pacific islands have come to occupy a more prominent place on the international strategic chessboard as a result of the proliferation of trade, diplomatic and security engagements in the region. This is due to greater foreign presence and influence in Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, and intensifying geopolitical competition among external partners. This reality, alongside greater connectivity and market trends, is also drastically transforming the criminal landscape.

Pacific islands have traditionally been considered as mostly immune from high levels of criminality due to their geographic remoteness. However, highly pernicious illicit markets are taking hold, and the islands are becoming increasingly vulnerable to new threats in the form of cybercrimes and the introduction of new narcotics, to mention just two examples.

This presentation will offer an overview of the criminal trends and related drivers observed in the Pacific, how they intersect with strategic and geo-political agendas and, how responses should be tailored to combat crime and related harms.

About the speaker

is the Head of the Pacific Programme at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) and a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the ANU College of Asia & the Pacific. Her work focuses on analysing criminal markets and actors in the Pacific islands in support of policy, law enforcement and civil society responses.

Prior to this, she had spent 14 years with The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) most recently as Senior Fellow and Head of the Conflict, Security and Development programme.

Additional experience includes a secondment to the UK Ministry of Justice and working for the intelligence unit of a private security firm and with a strategic intelligence company.

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This seminar presentation is a dual-delivery event. Registration is not required for in-person attendance as neither the ANU nor ACT Health conduct contact tracing.

If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email regnet.communications@anu.edu.au.

Image credit: Photo of a row of flags of Pacific Island nations, taken at the 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, , from , used under licence.