Lastly, the group met with the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security to discuss its role and priorities and toured the U.S. Capitol.

On day three, the group heard from Walter Russell Mead on grand strategy, Lindsey Ford, Nick Szechenyi, and Charles Edel on allies and architecture in the Indo-Pacific, Chloe Himmel on how Congress shapes U.S. policy, and Ely Ratner and Randy Schriver on U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific.

Day two had the group hear from Matt Goodman and Dan Rosen on U.S. economic policy, Kristine Lee and Emily Harding on technology, standards, and strategic competition, Heather Williams on U.S. nuclear policy, and Seth Jones on key lessons from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

On day one, the group heard from @henriettalevin.bsky.social and Mira Rapp-Hooper on China’s evolving strategy, Rebecca Lissner and Kori Schake on the changing international order, and Molly Ball and @eosnos.bsky.social on Washington in a Trump era.

As an outcome of the workshop, participants will write essays on security topics of their choice, including policy recommendations to address the challenges they explore. These essays will be compiled into a report, set to be published in the coming months—stay tuned!

A banquet dinner brought participants together with the Heads of Mission from the U.S., Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and France. Attendees also performed traditional songs and dances.

On day four, participants explored economic security, hearing from NZ's High Commissioner to Vanuatu Nicci Simmonds and Australia's Assistant Secretary for the Economic and Trade Branch on partnerships, and from reps of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Speakers from the Pacific Disaster Center and Island Times discussed disaster resilience and the role of media in security on day three. Participants worked through a disaster assistance scenario and identified actionable steps countries could take.

Day two centered on maritime security with sessions on domain awareness and capacity building featuring NZ's Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, former FFA DG James Movick, and former Guam Delegate Robert Underwood. Participants joined a horizon scanning exercise at the Pacific Fusion Centre

Day one introduced regional security challenges. Australian Senator Nita Green delivered a keynote on Australia’s engagement with the Pacific. Participants discussed the different components of security and visited the Vanuatu Cultural Centre to learn about the nation’s history and traditions.

The conference opened with a traditional kava ceremony led by the Manurongoana Cultural Group, who welcomed participants with Ni-Vanuatu dance and a shell of kava. Chief Poilapa of Efate Island also greeted the young leaders with opening remarks.

Throughout the four-day conference, speakers joined in person and virtually to discuss regional security challenges ranging from maritime to economic security. Participants also took part in group talanoa sessions, moderated by Dr. Charles Edel, Kathryn Paik, and Mihai Sora.