Australia has launched its Pacific Security College in Canberra.
Tongan prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva (left), Australian minister for the Pacific Alex Hawke (centre), and Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama meet on the sidelines of the 2019 Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
The Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Alex Hawke, said the college was a key part of his government's 'Pacific Step-up' policy.
It would help train mid and senior level Pacific officials in skills, capabilities and areas of knowledge aligned with the Pacific Forum's 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security.
"The College will create a network of experienced security experts to act as a technical advice pool, supporting security policy development and implementation in Pacific Islands Forum countries."
It would establish an active alumni network of security decision makers to strengthen networks across Pacific Island countries and agencies to facilitate closer collaboration on regional security issues, he said.