SPC Geoscience Division

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Regional Institutional Framework (RIF) Reform transfers SOPAC functions into SPC and SPREP

Tuesday, 30 March 2010 14:35 administrator
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PRESS RELEASE

Regional Institutional Framework (RIF) Reform transfers SOPAC functions into SPC and SPREP

30 March 2010: Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Director-General of SPC, Mr David Sheppard, Director of SPREP and Dr Russell Howorth, Director, Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC),will at the SOPAC Secretariat at 3 pm on Wednesday, 31st March 2010 sign three Letters of Agreement which together comprise full implementation of substantive elements of the Regional Institutional Framework (RIF) Reform agreed to by Pacific Island Leaders at recent Forum Meetings (Annex D of the 2009 Cairns Forum Communiqué refers).

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 14:39 Read more...
 

Pacific Island water quality in the spotlight this World Water Day

Monday, 29 March 2010 15:52 administrator
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Suva, Monday 22 March, 2010: Today the world focuses its attention on water, the natural resource most vital to life. World Water Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, is used as an opportunity to highlight critical water issues facing the planet. This year’s theme, “Clean Water for a Healthy World”, aims to raise global awareness on the importance of water quality for human health and the environment.

The impacts of recent natural disasters on water quality, outbreaks of typhoid in Fiji and Samoa, and a cholera epidemic in Papua New Guinea show that access to clean, safe water continues to be a major issue in the Pacific.

Last Updated on Monday, 19 April 2010 16:17 Read more...
 

Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management 2009

Monday, 29 March 2010 15:50 administrator
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The first meeting of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management was held in Nadi, Fiji from 7 - 15th of May 2009. The Pacific Platform is comprised of a series of Pacific regional meetings of national focal points for disaster risk management; regional development partners and key decision makers of Pacific governments; CEOs responsible for Finance and Planning and Disaster Management.

The Pacific Platform concept has its origins in the UN Secretary-General’s? report A/60/180 which points out the intention of a strengthened UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) system to support regional networks for advocacy for disaster risk reduction and cooperation at regional and sub-regional levels in support to national initiatives and platforms.
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Using ICT for Effective Disaster Management Pacific Forum 2009

Monday, 29 March 2010 15:46 administrator
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UN APCICT Press Release, 7 July 2009

Forum brings together managers and policymakers from ICT and disaster risk reduction sectors to address challenges in making communities safer in the Pacific Islands.

Representatives of 12 Pacfic Island Countries attended the Forum which was from 7-9 July 2009 in Apia, Samoa.


The Forum was followed by a joint SOPAC/APCICT Academy workshop on the 10th July covering linkages between ICT and MDGs, ICT for Development Policy, process and governance.
Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 15:49 Read more...
 

ACP/EU Natural Disaster Facility

Monday, 29 March 2010 15:42 administrator
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The European Union and ACP Secretariat concluded a Contribution Agreement with SOPAC in May 2009 which will facilitate the mobilisation of funding and technical support under the ACP/EU Natural Disaster Facility of the 9th European Development Fund.

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 15:46 Read more...
 
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Page 73 of 74

Newsflash

9 April 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji – Work begins next week on a series of underwater surveys to produce updated navigational charts for Vanuatu.  Like many Pacific Island countries, Vanuatu has a vast maritime area. Modern charts will result in safer navigation for both cargo shipping and cruise ships, producing economic and social benefits for Vanuatu.

A team of hydrographers and technicians from the Government of Vanuatu and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Geoscience Division (GSD) will collect the necessary data over several months.  Their supported by the New Zealand government, the United Kingdom’s Hydrographic Office, and the Government of Vanuatu.

The survey will chart four critical areas which have been identified through a risk assessment carried out by New Zealand – Luganville and Champagne Bay on Espiritu Santo, and the islands of Wala, Malekula, and Homo Bay, Pentecost.

‘The port of Luganville in particular is of high economic value to Vanuatu,’ says Mr Jens Kruger, Acting Deputy Director of SPC’s Geoscience for Development Programme. ‘The current chart from this port relies mostly on 19th century data and no new information has been added to the chart since the Second World War.’

Starting in July 2014, the International Maritime Organisation’s Safety of Life at Sea Convention regulations will require member countries to move toward using electronic navigational charts in their regions for safe shipping reasons.