10 Apr 2018 | Nuku’Alofa
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council (PGSC) and New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (NZIS) today signals new opportunities to enhance geospatial capacity and professional support in the Pacific Islands. The signing took place during the fourth PGSC meeting currently underway in Tonga and attended by Pacific Island lands survey and geospatial experts. This meeting is held in coordination with the United Nations Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) International Workshop on Legal & Policy Framework for Geospatial Information.“We are grateful that NZIS has come on board as we need to work with regional partners to advance geospatial and surveying services in the region,” said the chair of the PGSC and Director of Tuvalu Lands and Survey Department, Mr Faatasi Malologa.
“The PGSC has developed significantly over the last few years and this is another great step forward.”
President for New Zealand Institute of Surveyors, Ms Rebecca Strang noted, “NZIS will assist in advocating for the development of capability in the Pacific and explain to our own ministers and aid organisations why NZ should share our skills, resources and learnings with you and in turn, learn from you.” Strang commended the work of the PGSC in developing a comprehensive 10-year Strategy to guide and enhance surveying and geospatial services in the region. She noted that the strategy presented a number of opportunities for NZIS to contribute, and was particularly interested in the establishment of a Young Surveyors Network, noting that a similar initiative has been successful in New Zealand.
The Pacific Community has established the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Partnership Desk to provide secretariat services and support the PGSC in achieving their goals and objectives. “Members of the PGSC will no doubt benefit from today’s MOU signing as services provided by Pacific geospatial scientists and surveyors support a multitude of industries and sectors and contribute significantly to the security and well-being of Pacific people,” said Deputy Director for Geo-resources and Energy Mr Akuila Tawake.
The PGSC Strategy 2017-2027 will be launched tomorrow evening by The Honourable Prime Minister of Tonga Samiuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva. The Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council Strategy is the product of several years of collaborative consultation and design on the part of PGSC members and development partners, including SPC, Geoscience Australia, Land Information New Zealand, the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), and the United Nations Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Made possible by Australian Government funding, it is the first such regional strategy ever produced by a surveying and geospatial body.
Media contacts:
Evlyn Mani, Capacity Development & Communications Officer, E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or T: +679 3249 222
