Cook Islands Police Commissioner TJ Keenan attended the 6th South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces (SWPHMF) Conference, in Apia, Samoa this week.

He was among heads of maritime and partners to discuss and deliberate on their successes, challenges, and finding a common way forward in ensuring the security of the Blue Pacific.

According to police, the annual gathering provides an opportunity for the heads of regional forces to build and strengthen their cooperative efforts and partnerships in Maritime Security.

The meeting was opened by Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who is related to Keenan.

Fiame said the meeting was a good platform to discuss how Covid-19 has changed how they can better inform effective joint responses to address the challenges faced, as well as events and issues that test regional security, peace and stability.

The attendees of the meeting were the Australia Chief of Navy, Fiji Chief of Navy, Commandant de la Zone Maritime Nouvelle Caledonia, Kiribati Assistant Commissioner, New Zealand Chief of Navy, PNG director of Maritime, Samoa Police Commissioner, Solomon Islands Director of Maritime, Timor Leste, Naval Component Commander, Tonga Component Commander Navy, Tuvalu Commissioner of Police, Vanuatu Assistant Commissioner and US Coast Guard.

According to Samoa Police, the meeting looked to reinforce the established relationships between the Heads and Chiefs of South West Pacific maritime forces to “facilitate better cooperation and coordination and ultimately further maritime capability within the SWP maritime domain”.

The theme to the meeting was our Blue Pacific: Partnership and Coordination of Resources Post Covid.

• Losirene Lacanivalu/Police Media