The newly appointed Head of Secretariat for the Pacific Immigration
Development Community (PIDC), Mr. Akuila Ratu paid a courtesy visit to the
Honourable Prime Minister – Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, on Monday, 11 th
September, 2023.
Mr. Ratu acknowledged the assistance and support of the Government of
Samoa as the host country to the PIDC since the establishment of its
headquarters in Apia in 2016. Ratu also used the opportunity to discuss with
the Prime Minister important matters relating to immigration and border
security in the Pacific.
The PIDC, formerly known as the Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference
was initially set up in Fiji in 1996. However, in 2016 the Organisation
obtained its legal entity status as a regional organisation upon accepting
Samoa’s offer to host its headquarters in Apia. The organisation has grown in
terms of its mandate and strategic objectives. In 2018, following its strategic
review, the organisation’s name was changed to ‘Pacific Immigration
Development Community’ to reflect its mandate, and scope of its strategic
architecture.
The PIDC connects Immigration Offices in 21 member countries across the
region and fosters strong networks to discuss border issues of mutual
interest. It serves to enhance regional cooperation on border security through
facilitation of quality immigration and border management advisory support.
The organization works closely with other regional law enforcement agencies
including Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) and the Pacific Islands Chiefs
of Police (PICP).
Ratu is the longest serving staff of PIDC having worked with the Secretariat
since 2007. He has worked closely with Immigration directors across the
membership on fortifying partnerships, capacity and professional
development, strengthening immigration legislation and immigration policy
reform, and bolstering information sharing. Mr. Ratu was the Deputy Head of

the PIDC Secretariat prior to his current role. He takes over from Maumalo
John Alama who was the Head of PIDC Secretariat from 2016 to 2022.
Mr. Akuila Ratu is Fijian and a graduate of the University of the South Pacific.
He also holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from the
University of York in the United Kingdom.
The Honourable Prime Minister congratulated Mr. Akuila Ratu on his new
appointment and wished him well in his role.