Fiji Military Calls for Stronger Pacific Security Co-operation

Fiji’s military has called for stronger regional cooperation to address growing security challenges facing Fiji and the wider Pacific.

Commander Joint Task Force Command Brigadier General Manoa Gadai made the call at Blackrock Camp in Nadi following a Guard of Honour held to welcome the Crown Prince of Tonga and participants of the 2026 South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).

Brig Gen Gadai said the meeting was an important platform for strengthening defence cooperation, interoperability and relationships between Pacific partners.

He said Fiji’s approach to regional security was based on coordination rather than competition, preparedness rather than reaction, and partnerships built on mutual respect and common interests.

Among the key threats identified were climate change, terrorism and illicit drugs.

Brig Gen Gadai said these threats crossed national borders and therefore required collective regional responses.

He highlighted the work of the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force (JCNTF) and its cooperation with the Fiji Police Force in tackling illicit drug trafficking.

According to Brig Gen Gadai, joint operations across the Western Division since 2024, particularly in Nadi and Lautoka, have resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs and proceeds linked to drug trafficking.

He said an operation last week resulted in the seizure of approximately $33,000 in cash and methamphetamine.

Brig Gen Gadai said drug trafficking should be viewed as a wider human-security concern rather than solely a law-enforcement issue.

He called for stronger intelligence sharing, maritime surveillance, border cooperation and coordinated enforcement among Pacific nations.

“Those threats do not recognise borders. Therefore, neither should our cooperation,” he said.

He stressed that regional cooperation should complement, rather than undermine, national sovereignty and should remain focused on the priorities of Pacific peoples.

The RFMF, he said, would continue strengthening its readiness, capabilities and partnerships to respond effectively to emerging security challenges across Fiji and the Pacific.