Pacific nations unite to tackle regional unrest
Pacific nations are expanding the mandate of the Pacific Response Group to include stabilisation operations amid regional unrest and natural disasters. Defence officials at a security meeting in Brisbane have initiated negotiations on a treaty to streamline regional crisis deployments. The move reflects a growing emphasis on regional cooperation and self-reliance in addressing security and humanitarian challenges.
- ▪The Pacific Response Group was formed in 2024 and first deployed during an earthquake in Vanuatu.
- ▪The group's mandate is being expanded to include stabilisation operations beyond disaster response.
- ▪Pacific defence and security officials are negotiating a Regional Operations Deployment Framework Treaty.
- ▪Australia's Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston emphasized regional leadership in crisis response.
- ▪Tonga's Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Lord Fielakepa advocated for a 'region first' approach to emergencies.
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Pacific nations aim to tackle regional unrest with expanded Pacific Response GroupBy foreign affairs reporter Stephen DziedzicTopic:World Politics24m ago24 minutes agoThu 30 Apr 2026 at 7:59pmChief of the Australian Defence Force Admiral David Johnston with Tonga's Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Lord Fielakepa at the Joint Heads of Pacific Security meeting in Brisbane. (Supplied: Department of Defence)In short:Pacific nations are working to expand a new military group to tackle major unrest across the region.The Pacific Response Group was formed in 2024 and first deployed that same year during an earthquake in Vanuatu.What's next?Negotiations have begun on a treaty to help govern regional deployments and respond more quickly to natural…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).