PNG to host Future Leaders Summit on Security in the South Pacific

Thirty young leaders from military forces and government security agencies across the Pacific region will converge on Port Moresby next week to attend the inaugural Future Leaders Summit on Security in the South Pacific. 

The Future Leaders Summit is an initiative of the 2015 South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting, also held in Port Moresby, with participants from PNG, Fiji, New Zealand, Tonga, France, Chile, the United States and Australia. 

“The objective of the Summit is to bring together the regions’ future generation of leaders to discuss how different government agencies can work cooperatively to resolve mutual defence and security issues,” said Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo, Commander PNGDF.

“Our region faces many threats which require different countries and government agencies to work together, whether in response to natural disasters, deploying on regional peacekeeping missions, combating transnational crime and terrorism or maritime security.”

“With APEC 2018 around the corner, it is more important than ever that the different arms of government work collaboratively - it is only by working in unison that we can solve these complex problems”.

Throughout the Summit participants will discuss the importance of effective multi-agency cooperation, the barriers faced in achieving it and an appreciation of how it can be enhanced.

A key theme running through the Summit will be the critical leadership role women play in peace and security and how greater female representation in security forces contributes to capability. 

The Summit is being supported by Australia under the Defence Cooperation Program.