France’s Contributions to Pacific Maritime Governance
France stands out as the only European country capable of making a substantial security contribution to the South Pacific, with a permanent presence of 2,800 military personnel extensively skilled in regional cooperation.
France’s Maritime Governance Objectives in the Pacific
France's Pacific territories, which include New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, and Clipperton, form a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering around 7 million km². This area accounts for 67% of France’s total global EEZ. France's primary focus in maritime governance in the Pacific is protecting this resource-rich maritime domain from Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and drug trafficking.
Sovereignty forces are permanently stationed in New Caledonia (1,650 personnel) and French Polynesia (1,180 personnel), tasked with maritime surveillance and policing, crisis prevention, civil security, and, when needed, support and logistics for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Additionally, these forces actively participate in regional cooperation initiatives, advancing France's second objective: contributing to the stability and security of the region in collaboration with partners, including strengthening the maritime capacity of Pacific Island countries.
France’s Key Policies and Activities
France articulates its maritime policy in the region within the framework of its Indo-Pacific strategy, published in 2019 and subsequently updated. This strategy aims to foster a region that is 'open and inclusive, free of all forms of coercion, and founded on multilateralism and respect for international law,' particularly at sea.
In the Pacific, French forces assist the nations of the Pacific Island Countries in monitoring their vast maritime territories. For instance, France collaborates with Australia, the United States, and New Zealand within the Quadrilateral Defense Coordination Group (Pacific Quad) on maritime surveillance missions and combating IUU fishing, benefiting the Oceanian States and supporting the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). France also participates in joint exercises organized by the FFA, such as the Tautai and Kurukuru operations, to enhance regional maritime surveillance.
Since 2021, France has organized an annual South Pacific Coast Guard seminar, rotating the venue between New Caledonia and French Polynesia each year. This initiative aims to strengthen regional coordination between France, the Pacific Islands, and Pacific Quad partners while supporting the sovereignty of Pacific Island nations.
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>Read the entire article on the website of the East-West Center : Céline Pajon, "France’s Contributions to Pacific Maritime Governance", Asia Pacific Bulletin, Number 729, East-West Center, February 20, 2025.
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France’s maritime governance approach leverages its overseas territories, advanced surveillance capabilities, and regional partnerships to maintain security and support Pacific Island nations.
Research Fellow, Head of Japan and Indo-Pacific Research, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
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France’s Contributions to Pacific Maritime Governance
Author(s)
Céline PAJON
Research Fellow, Head of Japan and Indo-Pacific Research, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
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