(Press Release)
September 2, 2021
Japan Ministry of Defense
The Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD)
1 On September 2, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) hosted the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD) in an online format. This was the firstever multilateral defense ministerial dialogue hosted by the JMOD.
2 Mr. KISHI Nobuo, Defense Minister of Japan chaired the dialogue. It was attended by Mr. Inia Batikoto SERUIRATU, Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Republic of Fiji; Mr. Simon TUNAPAI, Acting Deputy Secretary, Department of Defense, Independent State of Papua New Guinea; and the Hon. Rev. Dr. Pōhiva TU’I’ONETOA, Prime Minister and Acting Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Kingdom of Tonga – the three countries in the Pacific with military forces.
3 Representatives of the governments of Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, France, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Republic of Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Vanuatu also participated.
4 At the dialogue, the ministers and representatives exchanged views on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, maritime security, climate change and HA/DR, and response to COVID-19. As an outcome of the discussions, the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue Joint Statement (PDF) was adopted.