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What is the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management?

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The 6th Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management, was recently co-convened by the Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) from 2nd - 4th June at the Novotel Hotel in Suva, Fiji.

This important meeting was seeking to gain support for the draft Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP) and the development of the Post- 2015 Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction which is to be endorsed at the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Reduction (3WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan in March 2015. Watch here for a 2-minute summary of key stakeholder views on the success of the Platform.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 June 2014 15:44 Read more...
 

6th Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management Opens in Suva

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Monday 2nd June 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) – Suva, Fiji - Co-convened by the Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the 6th Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management officially opened today, Monday 2nd June at Hotel Novotel in Lami Bay, Fiji.

Opened by Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu, Fiji's Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests – the 6th Pacific Platform provides the region with a pivotal opportunity to shape disaster risk and climate change efforts for the next 20 years and beyond.

It will seek to gain support for the draft Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP) and the development of the Post - 2015 Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction.

With the development of the SRDP, the Pacific is globally leading the way as the first region in the world to develop a regional strategy that integrates climate change and disaster risk management, while also nesting these priorities within the context of resilient development.  

Last Updated on Monday, 02 June 2014 10:59 Read more...
 

Australia and SPC support Pacific Climate and Oceans Awareness

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Friday 23 May 2014, Nadi, Fiji - Many Pacific Islands have excellent weather records that can be used to understand and predict events that affect our communities such as droughts, El Niño, La Niña, and sea level changes. Making this information more available and user-friendly is the critical next step that countries face.

Representatives from 11 Pacific Island meteorology services and land survey departments met in Nadi from 19 to 21 May to discuss this issue. The countries represented are all participants in the Australian-funded Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac).

According to Programme Manager Janita Pahalad of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, ‘COSPPac aims to support Pacific Islands’ ability to understand and apply scientific research on climate variability to national development plans.’

COSPPac’s implementing partners, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Geoscience Australia and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community through its Geoscience Division (GSD), have been providing products, training, and services to assist government agencies to apply climate and ocean research to national planning and decision-making.

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2015 13:23 Read more...
 

SPC Raises Water and Energy Awareness In Pacific Island Schools

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Friday 23 May 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji - The Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Economic Development Division (EDD) and Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (AGTD) recently collaborated to coordinate a regional poster competition as a way to raise awareness about water and energy.

The theme of the competition was ‘Save Water, Save Energy for the Pacific’, and invitations were sent out to all water and energy focal points in the Pacific region.

An overwhelming 200 entries were received, with Sipili Samisoni from Jai Narayan College, Fiji winning the first prize of USD 500. The second prize (USD 300) went to Kelera Yabakivou and John Sito of Lautoka Primary School, Fiji, and the third prize (USD 250) was awarded to Flornie Romblon Malinao from Niue High School.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 May 2014 14:13 Read more...
 

European Union supports achievements in national resilience planning

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15 May 2014, Secretariat of Pacific Community, Suva Fiji - The Cook Islands, Palau and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have achieved key national governance and resilience planning milestones. This achievement affords these countries a strategic perspective on priorities to address disaster-related risks under the European Union-funded project EDF 10 ACP EU: Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific.

‘Cook Islands, Palau and FSM are the first Pacific Island countries to achieve agreement on their country priorities for Year 1. This is important for improving safety and resilience of their communities on the ground. We envisage that the other Pacific ACP States supported by the project will complete this step by August 2014,’ stated Taito Nakalevu, SPC Project Manager for the EDF 10 ACP EU project.

Cook Islands, Palau and FSM have finalised their National Steering Committees and key documents that set a framework for coordinated national resilience action, including endorsed Country Implementation Plans and Year 1 Work Plans.

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 May 2014 13:03 Read more...
 


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Newsflash

Tuesday 15 November, 2011Opening Address by Dr Russell Howorth – Director of the SOPAC Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

Colleagues, may I start by first welcoming you all to the Second Annual Partners Meeting for the Supporting Disaster Risk Reduction in the Pacific Project for the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and funded by the EU from the 9th European Development Fund.

You will of course all be aware that this Project is benefitting from the outcome of the Regional Institutional Reform process (otherwise known as the RIF process) which has resulted in SOPAC the Commission becoming SOPAC the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division of the SPC from January 1st of this year.