Australia and New Zealand are collaborating to construct and fill warehouses with disaster relief supplies across the Pacific region as leaders gear up to visit New Caledonia following violent riots.
Foreign ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) convened in Fiji on Aug. 9 in preparation for the leaders’ meeting in Tonga starting on Aug. 26.
French ambassador to the Pacific, Veronique Roger-Lacan, engaged with the forum’s chair and secretary-general, agreeing to a request from three leaders to visit New Caledonia.
The French territory was rocked by riots in May, resulting in 10 casualties, following controversial voting reforms imposed in Paris that the Indigenous Kanak population argued would diminish their representation.
PIF chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, incoming chair and Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka are scheduled to visit New Caledonia before the leaders’ summit.
Roger-Lacan commended the denouncement of violence and adherence to democratic principles.
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“They will witness firsthand our efforts. We are committed to dialogue,” she informed AAP on Aug. 9.
“The visit will involve all parties impacted by the crisis—schools, churches, and the various political factions.”
Additionally, foreign ministers have endorsed a Pacific law enforcement initiative where Australia will establish a significant training center to educate officers from the entire region.
The incoming forum chair will seek approval from PIF leaders during the upcoming summit.
This development comes after Australia agreed to assist in expanding the Solomon Islands police force to reduce dependence on Chinese influence following Beijing’s security agreement with Honiara.
Defense Minister Richard Marles expressed Canberra’s willingness to support the Pacific nation’s police force without divulging specific details.
“We are exploring ways to enhance our contributions to Solomon Islands’ national security, particularly in policing,” he stated on ABC radio.
Marles emphasized that engaging with the Pacific was a cost-effective strategy for bolstering national security.
Australia and New Zealand have also pledged a combined $42.6 million (US$28 million) for a warehouse program aimed at storing and managing disaster relief resources required for rapid response within the initial 48 hours of an emergency.
Warehouses will be established in 14 Pacific island nations and East Timor, stocked with supplies to assist vulnerable groups such as women, children, and individuals with disabilities during crises.
Australia is allocating an additional $16.7 million (US$11 million) towards cybersecurity initiatives, funding enhancements to hardware and software to enhance defense against online threats.
Funding has also been allocated for the deployment of rapid cyber response teams across the Pacific to address threats and attacks.
Furthermore, approximately $18.5 million (US$12.2 million) will be allocated for surveillance and enforcement measures against illegal fishing, while $25 million (US$16.4 million) will be invested in the construction of a research vessel.
