𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐇𝐨𝐏𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Fiji reaffirmed its commitment to regional security cooperation at the Seventh Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) Meeting, held from 18–20 March 2025 at the Stanley Hotel & Suites in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The Fijian delegation was led by Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Commodore Humphrey Tawake, and included Deputy Commissioner of Fiji Police, Sakeo Raikaci, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) CEO and Commissioner, Udit Singh, and the Acting Director of Immigration, Taraivni Savou.

This year’s JHoPS theme, “Align and Collaborate to Advance Our Collective Security,” set the stage for discussions on regional security priorities. Key topics included maritime security, transnational crime, human trafficking, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—all of which hold significant implications for Fiji and the broader Pacific.

Senior regional security figures and international observers, including representatives from Japan, the United States, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), and the Oceania Customs Organisation, convened to exchange assessments and strategies. Mr. Esala Nayasi, Deputy Secretary General of PIFS, and Mr. Viliame Bovoro, Acting Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre, provided strategic insights on security challenges and the evolving Pacific regional architecture.

For the first time, JHoPS structured a parallel program for principals and advisers.

• Principals, including Commodore Tawake, conducted site visits to the Basilisk Naval Base, the National Surveillance and Coordination Centre, and the Container Examination Facility at Motukea Wharf to assess operational capabilities.

• Advisers participated in hands-on tabletop exercises, focusing on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and combating illicit maritime activities—scenarios that directly impact Fiji’s security landscape.

A major outcome of JHoPS 2025 was the endorsement of drafting instructions for a Regional Operations Deployment Framework. This initiative, building on the Biketawa Declaration (2000) and Boe Declaration (2018), aims to establish a regional governance mechanism for civilian, military, and police deployments. Once fully developed, this framework could bolster Fiji’s role in regional crisis response efforts, including potential deployments under the Pacific Police Support Group and Pacific Response Group.

Fiji’s active participation in JHoPS 2025 emphasizes its commitment to strengthening interoperability, intelligence-sharing, and collaborative operations across the Pacific. The delegation contributed to discussions on law enforcement cooperation, maritime security responses, and frameworks for collective action.

The meeting concluded with an agreement on the JHoPS Governance Framework, outlining its role, mission, and terms of reference. Delegates also confirmed the host country for JHoPS 2026.

JHoPS continues to be an essential forum for shaping Pacific-led security solutions, reinforcing a rules-based and inclusive regional order. Fiji’s participation signals its dedication to fostering a safe, stable, and resilient Pacific in the face of evolving security threats.