Defence, police customs and immigration leaders, as well as national security directors and advisers, from across the Pacific met in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for the seventh annual Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting from 18-20 March 2025. They were joined by observers from Japan and the United States, as well as representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), the Pacific Fusion Centre (PFC), the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC), the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Secretariat (PICPS), the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Pacific Security College (PSC). Representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) attended as special guests. Delegates were welcomed to Papua New Guinea by the Honourable John Rosso MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning, Urbanisation, Immigration and Border Security. The meeting was opened by Mr Elias Wohengu, Foreign Affairs Secretary, and co-chaired by Commissioner David Manning MBE, OSt.J, DPS, QPM, Commissioner of Police, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Rear Admiral Philip Polewara DMS CBE, Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Governor Powes Parkop, National Capital District, delivered remarks to delegates.
This year's theme focused on 'aligning and collaborating to advance our collective security'. Discussions focused on the need to enable rapid operational responses in an increasingly disaster prone region. Maritime security also remained a key focus, with issues like transnational crime, human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing being pressing concerns. Mr Esala Nayasi, Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Mr Viliame Bovoro, acting Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre, briefed the JHoPS community on strategic priorities set by the Pacific Islands Forum and security challenges and trends facing the region, both highlighting Pacific Leaders' call for a 'flexible and responsive regional security mechanism'.
A panel of eminent delegates exchanged assessments on regional security challenges and reiterated the vital importance of collective action and cooperation in response to these challenges. Interoperability and coordination with regional architecture were also discussed, as JHoPS delegates agreed on the need to work closely with regional partners to develop and advance Pacific-led solutions to Pacific security challenges. Members thanked the delegation of New Caledonia (France) for its presentation on 'Success stories in combating tobacco smuggling and drug trafficking through interagency and regional cooperation.'
For the first time, there was a separate program for JHoPS principals and advisers for part of the meeting. Principals had an opportunity to visit Basilisk Naval Base, the National Surveillance and Coordination Centre - where Papua New Guinea officials were supporting the FFA-led Operation RAI BALANG - and tour the Guardian Class Patrol Boat HMPNGS Ted Diro. They also visited the Container Examination Facility at Motukea Wharf. Meanwhile, advisers had the opportunity to consider operational responses to security challenges by participating in facilitated small group tabletop exercises covering a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief incident from the perspective of both an affected state and a neighbouring state, and a suspected maritime movement of contraband. Advisers from each exercise presented a summary, analysis and recommendations to principals.
Interoperability and Regional Security Responses
On the final day of the meeting, drawing on a body of work by JHoPS members since JHoPS 2022 in Denarau, Fiji, delegates endorsed 'drafting instructions' for a Regional Operations Deployment Framework. These drafting instructions could pave the way for a regional governance mechanism for civilian, military and police deployments. Building on the strategic guidance set by the 2000 Biketawa Declaration and the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security, the Framework would close a gap in existing regional architecture by providing a common mechanism to support Pacific-led responses to Pacific security challenges, including by the Pacific Police Support Group and Pacific Response Group. Rear Admiral Polewara noted that a framework would respond to the needs of our region by streamlining bilateral and regional deployments in response to crises. Such an initiative demonstrates the strength of the JHoPS community in translating strategic guidance set by Pacific Leaders into operational effects. JHoPS members noted that ultimately, the negotiation of any framework would need to be directed by Pacific Leaders. JHoPS members agreed to brief relevant domestic agencies (including foreign ministries, legal departments and national security agencies) on the utility of such a framework with a view to seeking political-level endorsement for a future negotiation. JHoPS members tasked the Secretariat to work through the IWG to develop a register of issues and concerns (including any legal concerns) and enable updates to be provided. Members agreed to report back at JHoPS 2026 on the outcomes of these discussions.
Finally, Members considered and endorsed the JHoPS Governance Framework, including Terms of Reference to provide clarity on the role, purpose and mission of JHoPS. Members warmly thanked Papua New Guinea for its generous hosting of JHoPS 2025 and agreed that Australia would host JHoPS 2026. Cook Islands offered to host JHoPS 2027.
Formed in 2019, JHoPS brings together senior operational practitioners from the region, providing an unparalleled opportunity to deliver operational security outcomes and drive practical cooperation between and among Pacific agencies and security forces in support of Pacific-led responses to regional security challenges. The JHoPS meeting demonstrates a shared commitment to an open, inclusive and rules-based Pacific. The meeting provided an opportunity to harness security expertise, and to share resources and knowledge between Pacific partners.
