The first of many security plans to come to make the 2018 APEC Meet a safe and secure event came to an end yesterday in Port Moresby.
The Joint Services Task Force designated to coordinate security operations for APEC 2018, has been in workshop at the "Exercise Long Reach 2016" since Monday with the focus of building the JTF Headquarters structure, the control, command, coordination and the communication requirements for the execution of security operations during APEC 2018.
This saw representatives of Joint Disciplinary Forces from both Australia and Papua New Guinea go into long and deep discussions about the security preparations for 2018.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki says Exercise Long Reach 2016 is an activity that brings together a variety of agencies and organizations both from PNG and Australia as part of the APEC 2018 security preparations.
“I understand the exercise allows also for agencies to better understand the roles and responsibilities of the Joint Services Task Force,” Baki says.
Commissioner Baki adds that APEC 2018 will be the largest political and security event.
“Exercise Long Reach 2016 is intended to assist the JSTF members and stakeholders to develop common solutions to any requirements to deliver a safe and successful APEC 2018.”
Baki says lessons learnt from other global events of similar size and scale has identified a critical need for an early inter-agency cooperation and engagement.
This engagement including foreign partners will ensure all partners have the most up to date information and can align their efforts to achieve the efficiencies in maximized staff effort.
The exercise was coordinated by members of the Australian First Divisional Headquarters of the Australian Defence Force based in Canberra and co-facilitated by the Australian Federal Police Policing Partnership here in PNG.
Baki thanked the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Federal Police for pulling this workshop event together adding that he was overwhelmed and appreciative that the Australian Defence and Police have come on board to assist in the early stages of planning so that everyone can assist the Joint Task Force, in operation and prepare for the APEC 2018 Meet.
