AT the opening of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) in Auckland on Wednesday, Minister for Defence, Hon. Dr. Billy Joseph, MP, called for greater cooperation among Pacific nations to address shared security challenges in the region.
Minister Joseph identified three major security threats facing Papua New Guinea and its Pacific neighbours: climate change, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and growing geopolitical competition from global powers.
“Papua New Guinea views climate change as one of the foremost security threats in the region. It exacerbates existing challenges, including access to food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the scarcity of resources, potentially leading to severe consequences,” Dr. Joseph said on the first day of the meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.
He warned that climate change would also introduce new challenges, such as climate migration and reduced access to agricultural and maritime resources.
“The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing as a result of climate change,” he added, noting that PNG’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods.
The Minister identified maritime security as the second major challenge, one faced by many Pacific Island nations due to their vast ocean territories.
“Papua New Guinea’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering 2.4 million square kilometres, is one of the largest in the Pacific. Maintaining security across this vast maritime border is a significant challenge,” he explained.
He further highlighted the need for constant monitoring to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which threatens marine biodiversity, the livelihoods of coastal communities, and the economy.
“The increasing incidents of IUU fishing and exploitation of our maritime resources pose a serious risk,” he said.
He addressed the growing geopolitical competition in the Pacific, noting that while it brings opportunities, it also presents risks.
“Engagement from external partners can be beneficial, but we must safeguard our sovereignty and ensure that our national interests are not compromised by foreign influence,” he said.
