TWENTY senior United States military and civilian leaders have visited Fiji to strengthen security cooperation and reinforce the two countries’ partnership in the Pacific.
The delegation from the US National Defense University’s Capstone program was in Fiji from November 11 to 13, focusing on regional security challenges, maritime cooperation and Fiji’s national security priorities.
The US Embassy said the visit reinforced the enduring security partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and a secure, resilient Blue Pacific.
The delegation met officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Ministry of Defence, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Ministry of Policing and Communications, and Fiji Customs and Revenue Service.
A highlight was the presentation of a newly-developed Maritime Interagency Cooperation and Coordination Framework by four recent Fijian graduates of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Hawaii.
The framework aimed to strengthen information sharing, interagency collaboration and coordinated maritime operations, including efforts to combat transnational narcotics trafficking.
The embassy said the initiative demonstrated the value of US investment in human capital supporting “sovereign, Fijian-led solutions” to complex security challenges.
The delegation also held roundtable discussions with senior government officials on regional security and Fiji’s maritime defence leadership.
The program also included visits to Indonesia and New Zealand.
