Today I announce the Australia Pacific Security College will be established in partnership with the Australian National University to bolster security cooperation in the Pacific.
The College, a transformative initiative under the Pacific Step-up, will deliver strategic security and leadership training to Pacific security agencies. It has been developed in consultation with Pacific Island Forum members, who have identified training needs and priorities.
The College will establish a pool of technical advisors to support security policy development and implementation in the region.
Its alumni network will help Pacific Island Forum countries share knowledge and build a community of practice on regional security issues. It will support close collaboration on cross-border matters.
This initiative will complement our Pacific Fusion Centre, which will inform responses to the security challenges our region faces, including illegal fishing, people smuggling and drug trafficking.
Through these initiatives, Australia is working closely with regional partners to address the shared security challenges identified in the Boe Declaration on Regional Security.
