Puna welcomes opening of Pacific Fusion Centre in Vila

Forum Secretary General Henry Puna has welcomed the opening of the permanent offices housing – the Pacific Fusion Centre – in Port Vila, Vanuatu, yesterday.

The Pacific Fusion Centre delivers training and strategic analysis against priorities identified by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security.

The centre is an outcome of regional security priorities identified by forum leaders in the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and operates under a Charter endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum Officials Committee (FOC).

Mr Puna said the launch reflected the ownership and relevance of the Fusion centre to Pacific nations.

He said this arrangement ensured their work was aligned with the Pacific Islands Forum security architecture though the FOC Sub-Committee on Regional Security.

The Vanuatu-based program has been under development since 2020 and formally announced FSM national James Movick as its inaugural director-general in 2022, along with Anna Naupa of Vanuatu as the Associate Director for Outreach.

“I wish director James Movick and his team all the best in taking the centre forward,” Mr Puna said.

“We’re at a timely juncture for this work, especially in terms of the Blue Pacific Strategy to 2050 and securing our Pacific future.

“The Forum Secretariat looks forward to ongoing opportunities for the centre to enhance information sharing, cooperation and analysis of security issues across our Blue Pacific Continent.”