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Fiji hosts the Pacific’s own science and technology conference

Monday, 13 June 2016 11:45
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6 June 2016

Nadi, Fiji –  Geoscience and ocean experts from around the Pacific convene in Nadi from June 6-8 to share knowledge and practices, present original research, and advance regional collaboration at the 31st Science, Technology, and Resources (STAR) Conference, hosted by the Government of Fiji. The theme of this year’s conference is Geosciences, Geo-engineering and the Ocean in the Pacific Region.

“Fiji is pleased to host the region’s first STAR conference after a three year hiatus,” said Permanent Secretary for the Fiji Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and current STAR Network chair, Mr. Malakai Finau. “Pacific delegates have missed this conference, as it provides a unique platform for showcasing regional research methods and findings, as well as networking and discussion.”

STAR is an independent conference, hosted by the Pacific Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Network. Current STAR Network Steering Committee Members include representatives from the Government of Fiji, independent technical advisers, and the Pacific Community (SPC).

At the Regional Geoscience Meeting in Nadi in April 2015, Pacific Island delegates strongly supported the re-invigoration of STAR.

“It is critical that those science-based ministries within the Fijian Government apply robust science to address the problems we face in the Pacific, such as disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and land and mineral development,” said Mr. Finau. “Conferences such as this can help to develop that capacity.”

The Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Network was first founded in 1984 as a joint initiative between the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The STAR Conference was hosted in conjunction with SOPAC annual sessions until 2013. Following the integration of SOPAC into the Pacific Community (SPC) as the Geoscience Division, the STAR Network has had to reconsider the format and hosting of the STAR Conference.

“STAR aspires to be more than the region’s own scientific conference,” says Director of SPC Geoscience, Professor Michael Petterson. “We hope that the conference will serve as a springboard for the creation of genuinely collaborative geoscience for development programmes between the global science community and Pacific Island practitioners on-the-ground.”

Participants at this year’s STAR Conference will present research on a variety of topics including: Ocean Science, Technology, Management and Governance; Pacific Cyclones and their Impacts; Geothermal Resources; Pacific Volcanoes: Science, Hazards and Impacts; and Geo-resources and Engineering, among others.

Media contacts

Malakai Finau, Permanent Secretary, Min. of Lands & Mineral Resources [email protected] //

Raijeli Taga, Acting Director, Mineral Development  [email protected] //

Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 June 2016 14:19  

Newsflash

Over the next three months, a seven-member team will conduct an independent external review of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

The review, beginning the first week of February, will consider SPC in the context of its broader role in regional development. The team will examine SPC’s focus, governance, management, mode of delivery, financing and performance monitoring and make recommendations on the organisation’s core business; governance, decision-making and membership; organisational structure; strategic planning; priority setting; business practices; financial management; resources; and performance monitoring and assessment.

When it approved the terms of reference for the review at the 7th Conference of the Pacific Community held in November last year, SPC’s governing body noted the timeliness of the exercise in light of the recent integration of SOPAC (Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission) and SPBEA (Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment) into SPC.

SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers said, "This will be an organisation-wide review that is independent of SPC. It will consider SPC’s core business and other important issues such as general governance and organisational efficiency."