Pacific heads of military, law enforcement, customs and immigration convened in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, this week for the seventh Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting from March 18-20, 2025.
Established in 2019, JHoPS encompasses 24 Pacific island jurisdictions, two observer countries (the United States and Japan) and seven regional observer organisations.
The annual meeting provided a unique opportunity for regional security leaders such as the Commander 1st (Australian) Division, Major General Ash Collingburn AM DSM and Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw, to connect and drive Pacific-led responses to regional security challenges.
“I thank our friends and hosts, Papua New Guinea, for their leadership of the forum this year, which provides a key opportunity to advance practical, Pacific-led security cooperation,” Admiral David Johnston AC RAN said.
This year’s theme was ‘align and collaborate to advance our collective security’. Leaders considered new ways to enable collective action and operational cooperation, underpinned by improved interoperability between nations.
At this year’s meeting, members were asked to consider drafting instructions for a Regional Operations Deployment Framework, share expertise on maritime law enforcement responses, and undertake practical tabletop exercises focused on enhancing interagency and regional collaboration.
Australia is committed to working alongside our Pacific partners on regional initiatives to enhance means of effective cooperation.
“It is in our shared interest to work together with increasing efficiency, and develop more rapid and capable frameworks in support of a secure and resilient region,” Admiral David Johnston AC RAN said.
