Pacific leaders have officially approved the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a significant regional effort aimed at enhancing collective peace and security across the area. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized that the initiative is essential for addressing the various challenges the region faces and highlighted the leaders’ role in developing their own Pacific Policing strategies.
The PPI has garnered support from countries including Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Fiji, which will enhance the capabilities of Pacific nations in managing law and order, as well as internal security needs. It aims to foster mutual support during emergencies and crises.
As part of the initiative, up to four regional police training Centres of Excellence will be established in the Pacific. These centers will focus on specialized training and operational assistance for local police personnel, thereby improving policing capabilities.
Additionally, the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) will consist of a multi-national police force ready to respond to the needs of Pacific countries, particularly for major events or during crises. A Policing Development and Coordination Hub will be set up in Brisbane, featuring advanced Australian Federal Police facilities for training and preparing for any PPSG deployments.
Australia has pledged approximately $400 million over the next five years to ensure the success of the PPI, which will also cover infrastructure costs for the new training centers. This initiative is seen as a practical step toward achieving the Pacific Islands Forum’s peace and security vision as outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and builds on the experiences from the Solomons International Assistance Force.
Conversations about a combined regional policing capability began during the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meeting in 2023. Pacific police are currently finalizing the design for the PPI to ensure it is a collaborative effort driven by the Pacific itself.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked that this initiative reflects a longstanding tradition of Pacific police forces collaborating to enhance regional peace, security, and mutual support. He stated, “Pacific leaders are coming together to shape the future we want to see, improving capabilities and cooperation among Pacific police forces, which benefits all our nations and the security of our communities.”
Albanese added, “This is a Pacific-led, Australia-backed initiative that harnesses our collective strengths. Our security is a shared responsibility across the region, and this initiative will benefit each of our countries.”