Pacific Islands Forum Plans Regional Policing Unit

The Pacific Islands Forum has endorsed a plan to boost internal police numbers, reducing dependency on external forces. The Solomon Islands supports the Australian-funded initiative. The forum's chairman, Mark Brown, emphasized regional collaboration over competition. The initiative is seen as a counter to China's influence, supporting various regional security and climate change efforts.

The Pacific Islands Forum has endorsed a plan to increase police numbers among its members, aiming to reduce reliance on external forces during crises. The Solomon Islands, a security ally of both Australia and China, backed the Australian-funded initiative on Friday.

On the final day of an annual leaders' meeting, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, chairman of the forum, highlighted the potential for the bloc of 18 nations to play a significant role in regional security. He emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition to prevent external influences from gaining undue advantage.

Analysts interpret this regional policing initiative as a strategic move by Australia to counter China's increasing presence in the region. The Pacific Policing Initiative received endorsement from the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who stressed the importance of national consultation to drive the initiative. Additionally, the forum agreed to send a fact-finding mission to New Caledonia to address ongoing unrest and expressed the need for increased climate change resources, urging donor nations to contribute to the Pacific Resilience Facility's $1.5 billion funding target.

(With inputs from agencies.)