National Security Strategies in the Pacific — Some Challenges

Abstract

This In Brief is based on a paper presented at the 2022 State of the Pacific conference held at the Australian National University, Canberra. All Forum Island Countries (FICs) are encouraged to develop a national security strategy (NSS) under the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security and the Boe Declaration Action Plan 2019, although so far Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are the only FICs to have done so. The Boe Declaration is notable for its emphasis on non-traditional security such as human security and climate change.Dr Ivarature discusses some key challenges for FICs in developing and implementing NSSs, including the need for clear strategic regional direction under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.