Page 37 - IB Sept-Oct 2020

New Caledonia
Happy 50 Independence Day, Viti!
th

By Richard Brennan, OCO Head of Secretariat

Fiji’s celebration of its 50th year of independence is not only
a celebration for the country but for the region as well.
It has also been 50 years since the father of modern Fiji and
Pacific statesman, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara coined the words Roch Wamytan, Speaker of Congress Milakulo Tukumuli, President of Eveil oceanien Philippe Gomes
“Pacific Way” at the United Nations in 1970, to symbolise a way
of doing things specific to the Pacific where people of different
races, opinions and cultures can live and work together for the
good of all, can differ without rancour, govern without malice Port of Suva: Customs officers facilitate trade to earn revenue for their
and accept responsibility as reasonable people intent on serving governments. With COVID-19, customs administrations play a critical
role in protecting nations from the virus while manning ports of entries. “I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL
the interests of all. Picture: SUPPLIED
As individuals, Pacific island nations are too small to be
heard in the global space but as a region or in the “Pacific Way”, INCREASE OUR SCORE”
our voices are more amplified. financial flows, trafficking of people, drugs and weapons and
Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), headquartered in money laundering to name a few. NEW CALEDONIA’S REFERENDUM ON SELF-DETERMINATION
Fiji, is an example of the “Pacific Way”. With a membership of But the greatest challenge, which has had far-reaching ef-
23 countries in the Pacific region, OCO’s mission is to facilitate fects across the world is COVID-19. By Nic Maclellan However this month’s vote will not simply be a replay of
and help customs administrations align with international stan- The work of a customs officer today is not as similar as five the 2018 poll. There are a number of new elements that will
dards and best practice, which would lead to greater economic or 10 years ago. A customs officer today must ensure he or she On 4 October, New Caledonians will vote in a referendum affect the outcome, as well as the ongoing decolonisation
prosperity and increased border security. is safe from contracting the virus and that it also doesn’t enter on self-determination, to determine the political status of the process: a changed configuration of political parties; attempts
OCO was born out of the Customs Heads of Administration a country. French Pacific dependency. to mobilise a large number of absentee voters; the failure of
Regional Meeting (CHARM) held annually in the 1980s, which According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the This is the second referendum to be held under the Noumea France’s new government to act with vigour and impartiality;
was a forum to promote harmonised and simplified customs COVID-19 virus can live on external surfaces for up to three Accord, an agreement signed in May 1998 by the French and voter concerns about the future in the midst of the global
procedures, introduce new methods, exchange information and days. Customs administrations must ensure their officers are state, anti-independence politicians and leaders of the inde- coronavirus pandemic.
generally improve communication between member adminis- well protected and the region is protected as well through quar- pendence coalition Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et
trations. antining and sanitizing of cargoes. Socialiste (FLNKS). Mobilising voters
Over the years, it became clearer that the needs of the 23 The safety of customs officers and other border agencies, as The Noumea Accord created new political institutions for Voting is not compulsory in New Caledonia, so the level of
customs administrations had grown and there was a need to well as those in the private sector involved in the movement and New Caledonia, transferred legislative and administrative turnout will be crucial. For the November 2018 referendum,
have a secretariat. OCO was established at the final CHARM clearance of goods is critical now. powers from Paris to Noumea and promoted economic and participation rates varied across the country: 83 per cent in
gathering in August 1998 in Tonga, which was the first OCO Without a doubt, COVID-19 has affected the way we do social “rebalancing” between the territory’s three prov- the Southern Province, 86 per cent in the North, but only 61
Annual Conference of Customs Heads. things and we are embracing the new normal as best as we can. inces. After a 20 year transition, long-term residents of New per cent in the Loyalty Islands (where the population is over-
The OCO secretariat was initially hosted by Australian Cus- There may be a lot of doom and gloom all around us but Caledonia could vote on the transfer of sovereign powers in whelmingly Kanak).
toms in Brisbane before it was moved to Noumea, New Caledo- there is one thing we can all agree on- Pacific islands and their a referendum on self-determination. But the Accord included From 174,165 people registered to vote in 2018, around
nia in 2002 and eventually Fiji. people are resilient. a unique provision: if the first vote for independence was un- 33,000 people did not turn out on the day, and there were
As not all Pacific Island nations are members of the World That resilience and the spirit of working together as Pacific successful, a third of the members of the local Congress could also 1,143 void and 1,023 blank votes. Despite voter enrol-
Customs Organisation or the World Trade Organisation, OCO islanders will carry us through these tough times. call for a second and then a third referendum. ment programs, hundreds of people claimed they could not
has been bridging the gap in these nations through knowledge OCO and its members are doing that and we are en- On 4 November 2018, voters in New Caledonia went to vote because of delay and confusion over registration. Special
sharing, training and assisting customs administrations to im- suring that in the true spirit of the Pacific Way- we the polls for the first referendum under the Noumea Accord, polling booths were set up in Noumea for people from the
plement standards of the same level as the two global organisa- are transparent and accountable for our actions. which asked: “Do you want New Caledonia to accede to full outer islands living in the capital, but an estimated 2,000
tions. More importantly, we are serving the inter- sovereignty and become independent?” to 3,000 people found it difficult to register or access proxy
But while customs administrations in the region have ests of all. In an unprecedented turnout, 56.67 per cent of voters de- votes.
evolved and progressed, there are also challenges that we must We thank Fiji for its contribu- cided to remain within the French Republic, while 43.33 per Given the difference of only 18,000 votes in the final result
address urgently. tions to the region and the es- cent voted Yes for independence. These figures, with a clear in 2018, both supporters and opponents of independence are
Without a doubt the role of customs is important in an econ- tablishment of the OCO majority opposing full sovereignty, could be read as a setback now seeking to mobilise support in this pool of uncommitted
omy- to facilitate trade and generate revenue as well as to ensure Secretariat. for New Caledonia’s independence movement. In reality, the voters. The FLNKS aims for a higher turnout in the islands this
border security. size of the Yes vote disheartened supporters of the French time, the right-wing Loyalist alliance in the capital Noumea
We are seeing emerging threats within the customs environ- Republic and opened the way for the second referendum in and surrounding towns.
ment such as the trade of counterfeit goods, illicit October. In the lead up to the 2018 referendum, French media and

Islands Business, September/October 2020 37