US Coast Guards to secure APEC summit [1]
Thursday, November 1, 2018 - 17:48. Updated on Monday, November 19, 2018 - 18:17.
US Coast Guard service members have been authorized to enforce security zones near Port Moresby during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leader’s Summit to be held on 12-18 November in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Leaders and senior officials from 21 member nations are expected to attend the summit, including United States Vice President Mike Pence.
A memorandum of understanding for the security service was signed last week by US Ambassador to PNG Catherine Ebert-Gray and PNG Police Commissioner Gary Baki enabling security teams to be able to work in coordination with PNG Police and partner nations’ security forces.
The Coast Guard is deploying small boats and nearly 100 specialized members as part of an adaptive force package to provide port security, waterside protection and anti-terrorism capabilities prior to and during the summit.
Ms Ebert-Gray said APEC Leader’s Week marks the culmination of PNG’s efforts over the past two years as a host of the 2018 Summit.
“With dignitaries arriving from the twenty-one APEC economies, the United States and the U.S. Coast Guard is happy to offer its support in providing safety and security operations to supplement the Joint Security Task Force efforts to protect Papua New Guinea ports, waterways and coastal areas during this significant international event.”
The APEC security mission is one of several recent joint operations conducted by the Coast Guard in the Western Pacific. They include the 17th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training exercise, and the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative helping Pacific nations protect their exclusive economic zones and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
These operations support the Coast Guard’s broader efforts to strengthen the United States’ relationships with partner nations in the Western Pacific, to enhance their maritime capabilities and governance, and support regional stability and security of global maritime commons.
US Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander Vice Adm. Linda Fagan said the US is a Pacific nation.
“We have deep and long-standing ties to our partners in the region, and more importantly, we share a strong commitment to a rules-based international system that promotes peace, security and shared prosperity,” she said.