Launched in 2003, the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is a multinational response to prevent the illegal trade of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related materials.
Australia was a founding member and there are now 115 endorsing states. Participation is an important component of Australia's multidimensional strategy in addressing the growing threat of WMD proliferation in our region.
All PSI states endorse the Statement of Interdiction Principles, and in doing so commit to participate in coordinated activities to impede and stop trafficking in WMD.
Australia is a member of the 20-state PSI Operational Experts Group (OEG), and regularly engages in regional exercises and outreach activities around the world.
- Australia has hosted PSI OEG meetings in 2003, 2004, 2019 and a Regional OEG in 2010.
- In 2009, Australia co-hosted a PSI Regional Workshop with the United States.
- Australia hosted Pacific Protector Exercises in 2003, 2006, 2010 and 2017.
- In 2013, Australia formally committed to the PSI Asia-Pacific Exercise Rotation (APER) and rotates the annual hosting of regionally-focused PSI exercises with Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United States.
- Australia is scheduled to host Exercise Pacific Protector in 2024.