Prime Minister welcomes new Pacific Security Declaration

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed the endorsement by all Pacific Islands Forum Leaders of the ‘Boe Declaration’ on regional security.

“The Boe Declaration is the most significant statement on regional security by Pacific Leaders in a generation,” Jacinda Ardern said, from the Pacific Island Forum in Nauru.

“All Pacific leaders recognise the security issues we face in our region are ever-changing. The Pacific is also becoming increasingly complex and crowded.

“The Boe Declaration acknowledges additional collective actions are required to address new and non-traditional challenges. Modern-day regional security challenges include climate change, cybercrime, and transnational crime.”

The Boe Declaration establishes an expanded concept of security focusing on human security, environmental and resource security, transnational crime, and cyber security.

“The prosperity of New Zealand is intrinsically linked to the security of our region, which is why this declaration is so important.”

Background

In 2017, Forum Leaders agreed to develop a new declaration on regional security to be endorsed by Leaders in 2018. The “Boe Declaration” responds to the need to strengthen regional security cooperation through greater collective action to address shared security challenges. In line with the Pacific Reset, this is one of New Zealand’s priorities for this year’s Pacific Islands Forum.

The Boe Declaration affirms an “expanded concept of security” encompassing traditional and non-traditional challenges encountered by the region. This concept prioritises human security, environmental and resource security, transnational crime, and cyber security. The Declaration also reflects a commitment from Forum Members to strengthen regional security by addressing national security capacity gaps and developing national security strategies.

New Zealand will work closely with Forum members and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to support an implementing action plan for the Boe Declaration.

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