iscover
Senior military, law enforcement, customs, and immigration officials from across the Pacific will gather in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the seventh Joint Heads of Pacific Security meeting from 18 to 20 March 2025.
Established in 2019, the Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting brings together representatives from 24 Pacific island jurisdictions, two observer nations – the United States and Japan – and seven regional observer organisations. The annual meeting serves as a vital platform for regional security leaders to foster collaboration and develop Pacific-led responses to shared security challenges.
The theme for this year’s meeting is “Align and Collaborate to Advance Our Collective Security”. Discussions will focus on enhancing interoperability between nations, enabling greater operational cooperation and exploring new approaches to collective action.
Key agenda items include the consideration of drafting instructions for a Regional Operations Deployment Framework, sharing expertise on maritime law enforcement responses, and conducting practical tabletop exercises to improve interagency and regional cooperation.
Australia remains dedicated to working alongside Pacific partners to strengthen regional security and enhance cooperative measures.
Major General Ash Collingburn AM DSM, Commander of the 1st (Australian) Division, representing Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, said, “I extend my gratitude to our friends and hosts in Papua New Guinea for their leadership in convening this year’s forum. It presents a key opportunity to progress practical, Pacific-led security cooperation.”
“It is in our shared interest to work together with increasing efficiency, developing more agile and capable frameworks to support a secure and resilient region,” MAJGEN Collingburn added.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach to regional security, saying, “The region faces a range of multidimensional security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, that demand cooperative solutions based on mutual understanding.
“The AFP remains committed to initiatives such as the Pacific Police Support Group, which will provide a multinational police response capability for a variety of activities, from planned events to natural disaster responses. We will continue working closely with our Pacific law enforcement partners through resource-sharing initiatives and joint training programs.”
Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner Gavan Reynolds emphasised the significance of information sharing in strengthening security measures, saying, “JHoPS provides an important forum for security leaders to examine how their critical functions contribute to keeping communities safe. This kind of information exchange between Pacific partners positions us well to respond to emerging security challenges. I look forward to discussions on how we can further enhance our collective ability to address regional security needs.”
The JHoPS meeting will play a crucial role in reinforcing regional security cooperation and ensuring a resilient and coordinated response to the evolving challenges facing the Pacific.
