The second Papua New Guinea – Australia Maritime Security Desktop Exercise was held in Port Moresby on 11 – 12 April 2018. PNG Customs Service Chief Commissioner, Ray Paul, opened the exercise and highlighted the importance of agencies working together in this complex environment.
The event was co-hosted by the PNG Customs Service, the Australian Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF). Delegates from 16 agencies participated in a number of scenarios, including illegal fishing, people smuggling and transnational crime to better understand the roles and responsibilities of each agency in combatting maritime security threats.
Delegates were instructed by Law of the Sea experts from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security at the University of Wollongong.
‘This exercise is growing in importance. Due to proximity of our borders it is integral that agencies work together to secure our maritime environment,’ ABF Commander James Watson said.
PNG Customs Service Assistant Commissioner Benjamin Sine congratulated all delegates on working together to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders.
Particpants at the desktop exercise.