Science Technology and Resources (STAR) Network 2012 Annual Meeting
5 November 2012
Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea
Chair of STAR, Professor John Collen,
Director General of the SPC, Dr Jimmie Rodgers
Director of IRD, Dr Gilles Fediere
Members of the STAR scientific and technical network
Friends
I have great pleasure in being here today to be a part of the 29th Annual Science Technology and Resources Network Meeting, and to become freshly-acquainted with such a prestigious body that has a deep history of engagement and service to the Region.
I’m honoured to address you today – and in conjunction with the Second Meeting of the SPC Applied Geoscience and Technology Division, tomorrow.
The Cook Islands itself has had the opportunity to host two STAR annual meetings – first in 1986 and again in 1995. To the STAR veterans out there – and I’m told there’s four of you – who had the earlier experience of meeting in Rarotonga, I say ‘Kia Orana’ to you.
And to those, who have not yet had the pleasure, I’ll see what I can do to help arrange one of your forthcoming gatherings in the Cook Islands.
I think by now you may have heard that we ‘showered’ the Pacific Leaders with an unforgettable experience during the Pacific Islands Forum – and Dr. Rodgers I’m sure – will attest to what was a major highlight of the year for us as hosts.
It would be pleasing for me to see you all in Rarotonga next time, should we have the opportunity to host your annual meeting.
Manihiki Farmer
In just two short years, I’ve had a challenging time as Leader, and the thought often hits me that: I’m a long way from my former life as a farmer back in Manihiki – our Northern Group atoll renowned for its black pearls.
I may be in the high office of political leadership now, and away from the legal profession for which I studied, but I know full well that life on a small remote atoll in the Pacific is where the roots of humility and our grounding in reality lie.
The struggles on Manihiki with eking out a living and coping with the constraints of regular supplies and accessibility to resources, is humbling indeed. More than 10 years ago, this was accentuated by a lagoon disease outbreak, which caught all pearl farmers on the island by surprise.
Struck by a debilitating disease, we appealed to SOPAC for assistance in order to understand what was happening. And despite the remoteness of Manihiki, the response was immediate.
SOPAC deployed scientific equipment to measure the current flows in the lagoon. This was followed by shallow water bathymetry surveying of almost the entire lagoon, and the further deployment of current meters and ultimately, a monitoring buoy.
This buoy continuously measured the condition of the lagoon water, and via a satellite link, downloaded the data almost in real time back to Manihiki.
But the damage had already been done, unfortunately. It crippled the industry with a massive drop in revenue from NZ18.4 million in 2000 to NZ2.8 million in 2003.
And things just got worse as a result of the depressed market prices of black pearls.
What we needed to do, immediately, was to get a grip on understanding and anticipating the type of lagoon conditions that could lend itself to disease outbreak, in the future.
This seemingly small but hugely significant impact on our national economy demonstrates how important the key relationship between STAR and SOPAC translates into the realities of sustainability in Small Islands Developing States.
The ability to mobilize excellent science and bring it to bear, so as to address the national needs of island member countries, is critical – and STAR has an instrumental role in working in conjunction with SOPAC to help us in time of critical need.
The long-established working relationship between SOPAC and the international research community is thus a vital element in addressing national needs.
And thankfully, is one that I know STAR has nurtured over many years.
STAR scientists have in fact, supported the SOPAC staff and work programme for the Cook Islands on many, many occasions.
Activities have related to issues as varied as: deep sea mineral exploration; coastal and atoll island and lagoon studies, both in the Northern and Southern Cook Islands; water and sanitation; disaster risk management; maritime boundaries determination; and wave energy.
To the Chair of STAR, Professor Collen, may I express through you my deep appreciation for that support from those of the STAR Network here today and those of your colleagues over the years.
You yourself, I know, have been actively involved in work in the atoll islands of the Northern Cooks and for that role I give thanks.
In my capacity as Pacific Islands Forum Chair I am well aware that almost every Pacific island country and indeed territory can lay claim over the years to such similar support STAR and SOPAC can provide.
Who else could provide such support, other than STAR in conjunction with SOPAC?
High quality rapid response; the deployment of expensive and sophisticated marine surveying equipment and technology into remote parts of the region; cost effective management; follow-up study in other relevant areas, such as resource economics; and supporting partnerships in lagoon management, including an early warning system – all ultimately contribute to sustainable economic development.
The Birth of a New STAR
This long standing relationship between STAR and SOPAC has probably never been better positioned than now to advance to another level under a renewed relationship – a relationship under which we may all witness ‘the birth of a new STAR’.
Historically of course, STAR met first in conjunction with the UNDP Regional Project CCOP/SOPAC, secondly with the independent intergovernmental organisation SOPAC "The Commission", and now the SOPAC Division of the SPC.
The Cook Islands has been engaged in SOPAC since its inception in 1972, and our scientific and technical people have engaged actively in the STAR meetings over the years.
And I acknowledge with deep appreciation that whilst STAR is an independent body, it does in effect provide an invaluable ‘no fee for service and advice’ to our Island countries.
Standing at this crossroads of science and policy today – as a Pacific Leader – I have an opportunity to develop and strengthen the link between the scientific community and policy makers: bridging the distance between scientists and politicians at the highest levels, in our region.
STAR meetings after all, are not merely technical meetings at which individuals present scientific papers and discuss results and implications.
Participants have the additional responsibility of formulating advice to the work programme of SOPAC, and of highlighting technical and scientific issues of particular importance, or urgency.
As political leaders, it’s important that we continue to receive advice of the highest quality – better informed by science that’s compelling and conclusive, and pertinent to our changing world.
For example, in Rarotonga in 1986, the STAR meeting was primarily concerned with offshore deep ocean marine geoscience, tectonics, and nonliving resources.
However, by 1995 when STAR met again in Rarotonga, the STAR agenda had expanded its scope to cover several other technical fields, in response to Island countries’ changing needs and priorities: hazards; habitats mapping; coastal, coral reef and atoll islands studies; and early developments in geographic information systems and remote sensing technology, among them.
Expansion of STAR engagement
This evening, I am very pleased to be able to talk about the potential of adding further value to the expanding role of STAR and its relationship with SOPAC Division of SPC.
For instance, the outcome of the Regional Institutional Framework reform process, which saw the integration of SOPAC as a new Division into the SPC, gives STAR the opening to forge a close working relationship with the governance structure of the SPC. I refer of course to the CRGA and Conference.
The broadening of STAR across the many divisions and work programme areas of the SPC may well afford real benefits, which over time, will benefit the Island members.
As food for thought, I would encourage the STAR Network of scientists to consider approaching the CRGA at an opportune time in the near future.
A re-invigoration of the principles and approach supported by STAR is on offer. Such as:
- strengthening the existing and evolving linkages between science and policy in conjunction with SOPAC Governing Council;
- further enriching the complex body of science and scientists; addressing the depth and breadth of scientific work with SOPAC to focus on current issues;
- building national capacity among Pacific Islanders to pursue their professional fields of study, especially young scientists;
- expanding the network of contacts for the benefit of scientists outside the region and opening new avenues outward from the region; and
- interfacing with SOPAC Island Member States in ways that offer unique challenges and insights to the way science is working for the benefit of the region.
I believe a new relationship between STAR and the SPC governance systems will ensure that Members continue to gain the benefits of the principles underlying STAR that go back some 30 years.
And in particular, Members will continue to receive these benefits as a “no fee for service” support from the international scientific community.
The STAR scientific community is able to broaden and cover all aspects of the new SPC work programme and at the same time, retain a direct and very important link to a regional organisation governing body.
In addition, specific STAR working groups on particular areas of science and technology can arrange to meet in conjunction with particular SPC meetings in particular Heads of Division Meetings.
Complementary Themes
In closing, I’d like to briefly refer to the theme of this STAR meeting – The science of a changing world: addressing Pacific issues through the 21st Century – and highlight the complementary nature of your approach this year with how I envisage the Pacific can best pursue and achieve its future goals.
For example, I’ve talked at length in the region about the need for the Pacific to project itself beyond the limiting mindsets of small islands and to grasp a re-defined position of awareness about our potential – a potential based on realised achievements, which can contribute to a more positive and optimistic outlook.
At the Forum Leaders Meeting this year, I called this the Pacific Challenge. And I think the complementary nature of our themes will support the development of an expanded role for STAR to have a deeper reach into the policy arena of governance structures, which can work to the benefit of us all.
I believe we are close to seizing a very important opportunity should STAR move toward forging a relationship with SPC CRGA and Conference.
And if those governing bodies embrace and develop that relationship, which has long been established and nurtured by SOPAC, we will indeed have taken a bold step towards providing a new platform where the science of a changing world can be brought into sharper focus: developing and strengthening the science/policy link to better address the Pacific issues into the future.
The SPC will have given visibility to its unique comparative advantage in this context, and a ‘New STAR will have been born’.
I thank you for your attention, and I look forward to welcoming you all to the opening session of the SOPAC Division Meeting tomorrow morning.
Kia Manuia
