Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced that New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).
Minister Collins recently returned from the meeting held in Nouméa in New Caledonia. “I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to host next year’s meeting to continue to progress our joint agenda.”
The meeting covered a range of issues relevant to the region, including maritime security, climate change, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and regional security architecture.
Minister Collins says, “as outlined in the joint communique from the meeting, together we continued to identify ways we can work together more effectively to address regional challenges.”
In addition to attending the official proceedings, Minister Collins held meetings with counterparts from host country France, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Chile and Australia.
