FIJI is advancing structured, multi-agency coordination to strengthen resilience and response capabilities against hybrid threats.
It enhances data sharing and operational coordination among civil defence, cybersecurity, and military forces.
“Structural steps align with the National Security Strategy, recognising that modern threats require whole-of-government responses,” said Pio Tikoduadua, Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs.
“Maritime security strategy supports coordinated command structures for crisis events, aiming for seamless operations during disasters.
“Co-location of maritime communication services enables real-time coordination between patrol units and disaster managers. Building capacity to integrate intelligence with response functions improves situational awareness and operational effectiveness.”
The ESIWA+ project workshop seeks to identify systemic weaknesses and share operational lessons from recent disasters.
Fiji’s leadership stresses the need for clear, sustained institutional results to secure systems exposed to disasters.
“Securing disaster response alone is insufficient; underlying exposed systems must also be protected from hybrid threats,” Tikoduadua said.
“Institutional clarity and coordination are essential to building long-term resilience across sectors.
“The workshop’s expected outcomes include concrete policies and protocols driving this sustained institutional effort, and this approach reflects Fiji’s vision of security that integrates natural disaster management with hybrid threat defence.”
International collaboration with European partners underpins Fiji’s strategy to confront these challenges.
“The presence of EU and German Embassy representatives signifies strong diplomatic and operational ties, and this partnership model supports sharing expertise and aligning strategies across regions facing similar threats.
“The workshop facilitates dialogue across diverse actors, including policymakers, analysts, and military advisors. Such cooperation enhances Fiji’s capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to complex hybrid crises.”
ESIWA+ Workshop Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The workshop is designed to produce actionable policies and to strengthen partnership frameworks to address hybrid threats linked to natural disasters.
The agenda covers interlinked threats, including climate security, disinformation, organised crime, and maritime infrastructure protection.
Tikoduadua added these issues are treated as a single integrated operating environment requiring a unified response.
“Discussions aim to translate into immediate government actions and longer-term strategic frameworks, with emphasis placed on practical mechanisms such as coordinated surveillance and information sharing,’’ he said.
“The quality and implementation of these collaborative outputs will measure the workshop’s success.”
Fiji expects the policies and protocols emerging from the workshop to guide future regional security efforts, and the value of the event lies in concrete outcomes rather than mere dialogue.
The workshop represents a platform to deepen Fiji’s role in regional and global security cooperation. These efforts will help align Pacific security priorities with international partners’ capabilities.
Tikoduadua added that Hybrid threats exploiting natural disasters were presented as the defining security challenge of the time.
“Fiji commits to working with partners to coordinate efforts clearly and sustain institutional results,’’ he said.
“The workshop is framed as a crucial step toward securing both disaster responses and vulnerable systems.
“This sets the tone for ongoing collaboration and accountability beyond the event itself.”
