The Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division has showcased Fiji’s maritime capabilities during a visit by Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Rick Houenipwela to the Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC).

Mr Houenipwela, who chairs the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, visited the centre over the weekend as part of an engagement focused on maritime security and cooperation in the Pacific.

During the visit, RFMF Naval personnel outlined the MESC’s role in monitoring the maritime domain, coordinating search and rescue operations, conducting hydrographic surveys and supporting information sharing.

The briefing also covered the centre’s role in coordinating responses to maritime security and safety incidents, highlighting the importance of timely cooperation when responding to challenges at sea.

The engagement underscored the importance of trusted regional partnerships as Pacific countries work together to protect their people, uphold national sovereignty and strengthen security across the shared Pacific Ocean.

For Fiji and its Pacific neighbours, cooperation between maritime authorities remains important in building stronger capabilities and ensuring coordinated responses to incidents that can affect safety and security across the region.