Overview

Australia is committed to the peace and security aspirations outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, guided by the strong foundations of the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security and Biketawa Declaration.

Our longstanding security cooperation with Pacific island countries is a broad and deep whole-of-government effort, covering defence, policing, law enforcement, border management, climate and disaster resilience, human security, and cyber security.

Boe Declaration on Regional Security

On 5 September 2018 in Nauru, the Pacific Islands Forum, including Australia, adopted the Boe Declaration on Regional Security. The declaration recognises an expanded concept of security, including human, cyber and environmental security, and frames regional responses to emerging security issues.

More about the Boe Declaration on Regional Security

Pacific Fusion Centre

Australia has worked collaboratively with Pacific island countries and regional organisations to establish the Pacific Fusion Centre which commenced operations from Port Vila, Vanuatu in December 2021. The Centre provides assessments and advice to Pacific decision-makers on security issues articulated in the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security including climate, human and resource security, environmental and cyber threats, and transnational crime. 

The Centre is Pacific-led, governed by a Pacific Island Forum endorsed Charter, and hosts security analysts from Forum member countries. The initiative demonstrates Australia’s shared commitment to working in partnership with our Pacific family to meet the security challenges impacting our region.

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Pacific Security College

The Pacific Security College supports the implementation of the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security, providing training and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of Pacific security officials dealing with a broad range of security issues. The College aims to assist Pacific island countries to implement national security policies by providing technical assistance that supports policy development and facilitates security dialogue in the region.

Based at the Australian National University, the College offers Pacific security officials professional development courses on national security policy, strategic assessment and analysis skills, gender, peace, and security and emerging Pacific security issues. The College’s website publishes a regular blog and podcast series. Graduates keep in contact through an established alumni network.

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Pacific Policing Initiative

The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), is a Pacific-led, Australian-backed initiative. It builds on decades of Pacific police cooperation and interoperability to empower the Pacific to respond collectively in times of need. The PPI has three pillars:

• regional police training Centres of Excellence located in the Pacific to enhance policing capabilities through specialised training and operational support
• the Pacific Police Support Group, a multi-country police capability to deploy in response to Pacific requests for assistance (e.g. for major event management or crisis response)
• a Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub to support the development of the Centres of Excellence and Pacific Police Support Group deployments. 

Australia will provide $400 million over five years, and substantial long-term support to ensure it delivers on the aspirations of Pacific countries. 

The PPI was endorsed by Leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in August 2024. Pacific police chiefs will now continue to take this initiative forward in its design and implementation.

Pacific Transnational Crime Network

The Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) was established in 2002 and provides an intelligence network for Pacific law enforcement agencies to combat transnational, serious and organised crime. The PTCN is supported by the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police, and the United States Joint Interagency Task Force West.

The PTCN consists of locally staffed Transnational Crime Units across the Pacific region, with the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre in Samoa performing a central coordinating role. The PTCN recognises the importance of collaboration and cooperation to effectively fighting crime.

More about the Pacific Transnational Crime Network

Australian Federal Police Pacific programs 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), along with support from strategic partners, has an integral role in Australia’s commitment to promoting a safe and secure Pacific region. The AFP engages with Pacific police partners through regional and bilateral policing partnerships and through its international network to combat transnational crime. The AFP delivers regional capability and capacity development in the Pacific through the Law Enforcement Cooperation Program, the Pacific Police Development Program-Regional, and bilateral policing partnerships in numerous Pacific jurisdictions. 

More about the AFP supported Pacific police programs

Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program (SEA-PAC Cyber)

Recognising the priorities articulated in the Boe Declaration, Australia partners with Pacific Island countries to enhance their cyber resilience, including through cooperation on cyber safety, cyber security and cybercrime.

Since 2016, over $27 million has been invested in the Pacific through the Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program (CCTCP), supporting more than 60 regional and country-specific projects across 14 countries.

In line with the 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy, we are refocusing our cyber cooperation efforts to support enduring cyber resilience in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to ensure regional governments are better positioned to prevent cyber incidents. Our Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program (SEA-PAC Cyber) – the successor program to CCTCP – supports a cyber resilient region through:

• enhancing cyber security and critical technology capabilities
• strengthening cyber incident preparedness and response
• supporting development of national and regional cyber policies, norms, standards, laws and regulations to reflect an open, free and secure cyber ecosystem.

More about SEA-PAC Cyber.

Pacific Maritime Security Program

Implemented by the Department of Defence, the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) is a 30-year commitment to maritime security in the Pacific, and builds on the Pacific Patrol Boat Program – collectively representing more than six decades of continuous maritime security engagement with our Pacific partners. Through the PMSP, Australia is delivering 24 Guardian-class Patrol Boats to 12 Pacific partners. 

This capability will be supported by through-life maintenance and sustainment support, infrastructure support, crew training, and Navy advisers embedded alongside Pacific militaries and security forces to promote safe operations. The PMSP also provides a suite of capabilities under the Enhanced Aerial Surveillance Program, delivered through the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). These capabilities support Pacific-led regional coordination and information-sharing, including four FFA monitoring, control, and surveillance operations annually. The PMSP continues and expands Australia’s long-term contribution to a peaceful, prosperous and secure Blue Pacific. 

More about the Pacific Maritime Security Program

Pacific Maritime Boundaries

Clearly defined maritime zones underpin the governance, peace and security, marine conservation, and natural resource management of the Blue Pacific. Australia has contributed to a regional effort, coordinated by The Pacific Community (SPC), to assist 14 Pacific island countries to establish their maritime zones under international law. Since 2011, 75% of shared boundaries in the Pacific have been negotiated, countries have been supported to establish their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) limits, and lodge claims for areas of extended continental shelf in accordance with UN processes. This latest investment ($3.5 million, 2024–2027) is a part of Australia’s continued support for regional efforts in resolving maritime boundaries.

More about the Pacific Maritime Boundaries 

Pacific Response Group

The Pacific Response Group was endorsed at the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting in October 2024.  Ministers called for the Pacific Response Group to be established immediately and to co-locate representatives in Brisbane during the 2024/25 high-risk weather season. The Pacific Response Group’s offering includes the Pacific Special Advisory Team, a small rapidly deployable team available to support civilian authorities in an affected state to plan a disaster response and identify potential military follow-on tasks. The Pacific Response Group is a regional asset which will enable more effective military co-deployments within the region, including to support civilian-led humanitarian assistance and disaster responses. 

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Defence Cooperation Program

The Defence Cooperation Program promotes the capacity of our international partners, improves Australia’s capacity to work with partners in response to common security challenges, and builds strong people-to-people links across the region.

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Defence infrastructure partnerships

Defence is partnering with Pacific Island countries on a number of significant infrastructure projects, as well as delivering a range of smaller security infrastructure and maintenance projects across the region. Defence is also delivering wharf infrastructure upgrades to twelve Pacific partners as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program. Defence infrastructure partnerships are aimed at increasing the sovereign capabilities of Pacific partners and enhancing the security of the Pacific.

More about the Defence infrastructure partnerships