To fortify and improve border security, the governments of the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday, May 22, 2023, regarding immigration and border security. In Port Moresby, Mr. Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and Mr. Stanis Hulahau, Chief Migration Officer of the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority, signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
As he attempts to increase capacity building and support between the two countries, harmonize and improve on areas of concern, Permanent Secretary Beck welcomed the framework and called it a milestone. It also examines problems with transnational crime near the shared border and the ongoing ease of border crossings across the traditional border. Transnational criminals are constantly studying loopholes in border, passport, visa and other security measures in order to facilitate human trafficking and smuggling operations.
