The Joint Heads of Police Security was established in 2019. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Papua New Guinea's Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso has welcomed Pacific police and defence heads to a meeting in Port Moresby, saying a key focus will be developing the planned Regional Joint Deployment Framework.
It is the 7th Joint Heads of Pacific Security Meeting, and Rosso says collective security is fundamental to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
He said the annual meeting is a testament to the commitment to regional collaboration.
Rosso said the meeting provides a vital platform to strengthen regional security architecture and foster deeper cooperation.
He said the Regional Joint Deployment Framework is critical to strengthening the Pacific's ability to respond effectively to security crises and disasters across the region.
Rosso said by streamlining legal and administrative arrangements, the Pacific can ensure regional security forces can deploy quickly and efficiently in times of need.
He said it will allow a more coordinated and rapid response to emerging threats - whether natural disasters, humanitarian crises, or security incidents - without compromising national sovereignty.
The Joint Heads of Police Security was established in 2019 and includes 24 Pacific island jurisdictions, two observer countries- the United States and Japan - and seven regional observer organisations.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Reece Kershaw said the region faces a range of multidimensional security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, which require collaborative solutions based on common understanding.
He said the AFP will continue to invest in initiatives, such as the Pacific Police Support Group, which will bring a multinational police response capability to the region and deploy for a range of activities, from planned events to natural disaster responses.
"The AFP is committed to partnering with Pacific law enforcement partners through mutual resource sharing initiatives and training," he said.
More to come...
