The New Zealand Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marian Hobbs, says HIV/Aids, could become the next major security threat in the Pacific.
Ms Hobbs told the "Securing a Peaceful Pacific" conference in Christchurch, that the root causes of conflict are poverty, economic stagnation, inequality, poor governance and a sense of marginalisation.
She says the region faces a major security threat from HIV/Aids, and reminded delegates of the impact of Aids in Africa.
"You have households headed up by teenagers. Society loses its bearings. Gangs, crime and civil wars all flourish, and there are specific risks for security forces, as uniformed personnel, typically, have high infection rates, as do seafarers."
In the Pacific, we have no time to lose. It's not an exaggeration to say HIV/Aids could become the next biggest threat to Pacific security.
