Arabic version: وزراء المحيط الهادئ يسعون إلى توافق بشأن مجموعة الاستجابة

According to ABC News, Pacific defence ministers have signalled they will not rush to expand the role of the Pacific Response Group, with Australia’s defence chief saying its evolution requires “absolute consensus” among Pacific countries.

The South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting, involving Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, has concluded in Fiji. The Pacific Response Group was formed in 2024 to coordinate responses to natural disasters. Ministers last year endorsed broadening its mandate to allow “stabilisation operations” when Pacific nations request military help in responding to civil unrest.

In May, senior military officers backed a proposed regional treaty to govern deployments and recommended that Pacific leaders begin negotiations on a framework designed to speed the dispatch of personnel during crises. However, Pacific leaders meeting in Palau did not agree to start treaty negotiations, indicating they wanted to move more slowly.

In their communique, ministers said the framework must consider privileges and immunities for humanitarian and disaster relief, as well as any future stabilisation function. They also agreed to a “phased approach”, first consolidating and enhancing the group’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities before pursuing stabilisation operations.

Australian Defence Force chief Admiral Mark Hammond said the group must respect sovereign constitutional processes and that countries needed time, including those approaching elections or dealing with recent political changes. Pacific security expert Anna Powles of Massey University said regional consensus was proving challenging, with questions over how the agreement would fit within the regional security architecture. The ministers also expressed “grave concern” over China’s ballistic missile test earlier this year.