Australian Navy, US Coast Guard to secure APEC 2018 summit in PNG

The Royal Australian Navy and US Coast Guard will be helping Papua New Guinea authorities provide safety for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leader’s Summit which takes place from Nov. 12-18 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide and Armidale-class patrol boats HMAS Larrakia and HMAS Glenelg will start arriving in Port Moresby from this weekend.

The US 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. The security teams will work in coordination with PNG police and partner nations’ security forces.

Australian defense minister Christopher Pyne said Australia was providing maritime security support as part of a broader package of security support for APEC.

“The safety and security of the maritime environment surrounding Port Moresby will be critical during Leaders’ Week. Australia is pleased to enhance PNG’s maritime security arrangements for APEC by providing these capabilities,” Pyne said.

Leaders and senior officials from 21 member nations are scheduled to attend the summit, including US vice president Mike Pence representing the United States.

“APEC Leader’s Week marks the culmination of Papua New Guinea’s efforts over the past two years as a host of the 2018 Summit,” said US ambassador to PNG Catherine Ebert-Gray. “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.”