SUVA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum are meeting on Tuesday in the Fijian capital of Suva to discuss a possible new regional framework for crisis response.
The new crisis response mechanism could replace the Biketawa Declaration, which was agreed to by Pacific Islands Forum leaders in 2000 following a coup in Fiji and amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Solomon Islands.
Dubbed "Biketawa Plus", a new framework may include security issues beyond defence and law and order.
Dame Meg Taylor, the forum's secretary general, said that the expanded concept of security is inclusive of human security, humanitarian assistance, prioritising environmental security and also regional cooperation around building resilience to disasters and climate change, so it is not just a military concept.
The security of economic zones and fisheries were also included and led by the Pacific Community (SPC), she added.
Meanwhile, Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said that Fiji is currently undergoing a process of reviewing and revitalizing its national security and defence postures.
"The new National Security Strategy will provide the basis for establishing strong, effective, and modern architecture and system that has the capacity and capability of responding to the evolving security needs of Fiji," Kubuabola said.
He encouraged all forum members to develop national security policies that would serve as building blocks to securing their Blue Pacific and maintaining a region of peace, security and stability.
The new declaration would enable forum members to work better collectively and forge a secure and stable environment for the Pacific people, he added.?
