Pacific Defence Ministers Escalate Militarisation Across the Region
The 10th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting (SPDMM) was held in Viña del Mar, Chile from October 22-24, with the goal of developing "operational collaboration" between Pacific militaries to address "new trends in security challenges," primarily targeting China.
Defence Ministers or their representatives from Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji, and Tonga attended the meeting, along with observers from Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), was also in attendance.
The SPDMM declares it is "the premier defence ministerial dialogue in the South Pacific, enhancing cooperation and driving Pacific-led responses to shared regional security challenges."
- Australia
- Chile
- France
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea (PNG)
- Fiji
- Tonga
Author's summary: Pacific Defence Ministers meet to escalate militarisation.