AUKUS an opportunity for regional cooperation and learning - Fiji govt

As the Pacific faces unprecedented security challenges, Fiji is stepping up with a defence strategy that goes beyond traditional military concerns.

At the South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting (SPDMM) in Auckland, Pio Tikoduadua highlighted Fiji’s unique approach to balancing geopolitical partnerships, climate change, and non-traditional threats like narcotics.

“We want our Pacific Ocean to always remain an ocean of peace,” he told PMN News.

“Fiji's role will continue to grow and influence the region… It's natural for us to have a general influence in terms of how things evolve around the region from a security perspective.

“Our two greatest threats in Fiji right now are climate change and narcotics. We want to see a greater role for our defence forces in looking after our environment.”

Lt Col Pio Tikoduadua (second from left) is a Fijian politician, cabinet Minister and Member of the Parliament of Fiji. He is the current President of the National Federation Party. Photo/NZDF

Along with battling climate change and narcotics, Fiji is also promoting gender inclusivity within its defence forces which has 4000 troops.

The first cohort of women to join the Fijian military was in 1988 and Tikoduadua said that most recently, female representation within the army and navy has been the greatest it's ever been.

“Women as a component of that are actually quite small. So we would like to see a greater

number of women in our armed forces.

“We in Fiji are looking at partnering with civil society organisations to break down the barriers that prevent women from joining… our security agencies and military forces.”

As the geopolitical landscape of the Pacific becomes increasingly complex, with powers like China, the United States, and the United Kingdom exerting influence, Tikoduadua says Fiji remains committed to peaceful diplomacy and strong partnerships.

He expressed support for observer nations’ involvement in the SPDMM, saying “partnership is the solution for us in every way”​.

“The South Pacific is becoming prominent in the geopolitical competition. We have our friends that we work with. Partnership is the solution for us in every way. There's greater interest in SPDMM now more than ever.”

SPDMM is in its 11th year and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Hon Baron Waqa will attend as a guest for the first time. Photo/NZDF

When asked about New Zealand’s potential involvement in AUKUS, he said that Fiji viewed the initiative positively, emphasising the importance of learning from such partnerships rather than viewing them as a threat.

“Fiji accepts AUKUS as something that is a journey that Australia is taking with its partners, and New Zealand with the intent to join AUKUS.

“And that is an additional partner in something that we in the region are looking forward to learning from in terms of how that experience goes for New Zealand.”

At the heart of Fiji’s defence policy is the concept of an “Ocean of Peace.”

Just last week, China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, the first time in 44 years.

Tikoduadua, however, reiterated Fiji’s commitment to maintaining the Pacific as a peaceful region, despite rising geopolitical tensions.

“We want our Pacific Ocean to always remain an ocean of peace. Anything that disturbs the peace disturbs everything."

Looking forward, Fiji aims to play a leading role in future SPDMM discussions.

The Minister outlined several initiatives, including the Pacific Response Force, which is designed to enhance regional cooperation in dealing with security threats and humanitarian crises.

“We are developing a few things, including the Pacific Response Force… in terms of how we partner with each other looking after the region.”