Defence Ministers from across the South Pacific have reaffirmed their commitment to regional security, resilience and cooperation at the 10th South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM), held in Chile last week.
Ministers and representatives from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga attended the meeting, joined by observers from Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa participated as a special guest.
The SPDMM, established in 2013, remains the premier defence dialogue in the region, driving Pacific-led responses to shared security challenges.
Members recommitted to joint action on climate-related disasters, humanitarian assistance, and transnational crime.
Members “reaffirmed the importance of operational collaboration between their militaries in promoting a secure and resilient region,” and agreed to strengthen interoperability and coordination to respond to emerging threats.
They reviewed the first year of the Pacific Response Group (PRG) and endorsed its second phase, agreeing to move toward year-round co-location of the PRG headquarters, with New Zealand assuming command from July 2026.
Ministers also tasked their Chiefs of Defence to consider broadening the PRG’s mandate to include stabilisation operations.
On maritime security, Chile presented findings on transnational organised crime, including illegal drug routes from South America into the Pacific.
Members “committed to ensuring comprehensive maritime security” and encouraged an intelligence-led regional operation to counter such threats. Fiji’s offer to make the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre a regional asset was welcomed.
Ministers endorsed France’s SPDMM Information Sharing Framework to enhance interoperability and coordination among members and regional partners.
The meeting also launched two key initiatives: the SPDMM Academic Cooperation Network (ACN), which will focus on research linking climate change and regional security, and the SPDMM Regional Training Framework, an online platform to coordinate defence training across the Pacific
Members supported Fiji’s proposal for a climate, peace, and security adviser role within SPDMM.
Recognising the upcoming 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security, members welcomed the growing participation of women in regional defence initiatives and tasked the Secretariat to develop a WPS Guidance Note for 2026.
They thanked Australia for hosting the Pacific Defence Faith Forum and the Future Leaders’ Summit, with Fiji offering to host the next gatherings in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
Ministers also welcomed closer coordination with the Pacific Islands Forum.
They appreciated Secretary General Baron Waqa’s suggestion to embed a Defence Adviser within the PIF Secretariat to strengthen SPDMM-PIF linkages.
“Recognising that regional cohesion and solidarity has never been more important,” members reaffirmed their commitment to regular exchanges between SPDMM and the Forum architecture.
The meeting concluded with members thanking Chile for hosting SPDMM 2025 and confirming that Fiji will host the next session in 2026.
