Pacific security in 2025

2025 will be a big year for Pacific security as Pacific island nations grapple with upcoming elections, disaster recovery, watching the situation in New Caledonia and navigating geopolitical tensions.

The Pacific’s stable instability

Despite the recent dissolution of parliament in Vanuatu and motions of no confidence in Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Solomon Islands, political instability in the Pacific isn’t significantly increasing. It just feels like it.

Securing security in the Pacific

It’s time for the Pacific to talk about ground rules in the security sector.

Tackling Pacific misinformation

There needs to be stronger communications between governments and media across the Pacific to reduce the spread of misinformation.

A step in the right direction

The Falepili Union shows Australia willingness to help with the Pacific’s climate mitigation and security needs, and may well set a precedent for being willing to support broader migration and climate adaptation funding.

Cutting through the noise

Education must play a role in helping the population of democratic nations like Australia sort through the noise on social media and find proper sources of reliable information online.

Planning for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands’ security environment is stable for now, and the Pacific Games may proceed there in November without a hitch, but Australia’s prior preparation and scenario planning will help cope with any potential emergency.

A fresh start with the Solomon Islands?

Australia has an opportunity to approach the issue of security with a broader lens that includes more groups in the Pacific through greater transparency and engagement.

Strengthening Pacific treaties

Security agreements are an increasingly hot topic in the Pacific as Australia, the US, China and New Zealand seek broad arrangements across the region, but Pacific treaties must be built with care and nurtured once they’re in place.