The 4th Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting was held in Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji, from November 7-10, 2022. The JHoPS discussed the security dimensions of climate change and explored opportunities to develop security capabilities for the Pacific region for preparedness and effective response.
The JHoPS Forum was established in 2019 and is held annually, bringing together the heads of security agencies (military, police, customs, and immigration) from countries and territories in the Pacific, including Timor Leste. The first forum was held in Brisbane, Australia in 2019 but due to pandemic border restrictions, the second and third forums were held virtually. This was the second in-person meeting where more than 70 registered delegates from the Pacific Island Countries, including the Regional Bodies and Observers from Australia, Japan, and the United States attended.
Keynote speaker, former Kiribati President Anote Tong addressed the forum passionately and urged heads of security to find answers to the questions he had raised in many forums while in office and asserted, "We must save the island to save the world".
The Australian heads of security were represented by ADF’s Chief of Defence, General Angus Campbell, AFP’s Commissioner Operations, Lesa Gale and ABF’s Commissioner Michael Outram. Papua New Guinea's head of security was represented by the Chief Commissioner of Customs, David Towe, and Deputy Chief Migration Officer, Winis Map.
Mr. Towe, in his contribution to the forum’s session discussions, quoted PM Marape’s recent address to the United Nations General Assembly: "Our oceanic homes and way of life are intertwined with the ecosystem in its natural equilibrium." This equilibrium is now affected by human influence and is not of our making. But we are the first victims and the most affected because of our inherent vulnerabilities," and he strongly urged the heads of security in the Pacific to work together as a team to address the security issues that are affecting the small Pacific Islands in the vast Pacific Ocean because of climate change, transnational crimes, and revenue avoidance. He advised the forum to use the existing regional organization and structures to aid in the capabilities of security in the Pacific and shared PNG Customs’ MoU signing with UNODC as an example. Mr. Towe also discussed the impact of sea level rise and the displacement of Bougainville's Carteret Islanders, emphasizing to the forum that it must act now because the effects of climate change are real.
The Joint Heads of Pacific Security have agreed to establish a partnership for information sharing with the view of enhancing regional maritime security to mitigate the security issues faced by the Pacific Island countries due to climate change and the current illegal fishing, illicit substances, and other threats.
The forum has jointly agreed to 18 outcomes called the "Denarau Outcomes" that will be officially circulated amongst the participating countries. Papua New Guinea will host the 6th JHoPS in November 2024 after Palau accepted the invitation to host the 5th JHoPS in 2023.