Three-day summit discusses maritime security

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE PNG Defence Force is hosting a three-day summit to discuss challenges facing maritime security.
Commander Brig-Gen Gilbert Toropo said during the opening of the future leaders’ summit (FLS) in Port Moresby yesterday that it was decided at last year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) in Auckland, New Zealand, for PNG to host the summit this year in view of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
“The purpose of this FLS is to bring together young leaders from the PDMM and the US to engage with maritime security issues facing the Pacific, strengthen awareness of adopting a whole of government and inter-regional approaches to maritime security, and encouraging professional development,” Toropo said.
He extended his acknowledgment to the Australian Civil Military Centre for facilitating the bi-annual summit that ends tomorrow.
Toropo said the SPDMM leaders saw the benefit of bringing together young leaders from regional militaries and other national security agencies to share their perspective on regional security and build their understanding of the issues and approaches to solving them.
Australia, New Zealand, the US, France, Tonga, Fiji, Chile and England are attending the summit.
Australia chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said because the maritime security was a growing issue in the region, the need for these countries to work together was important.
“Prioritising investment in training and cooperation between the partner countries are important.”