This week the Pacific Community (SPC) handed over 350kg vegetable seeds and 400 tissue culture plants to the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The event was part of Pacific Seeds for Life (PS4L) and represented the projects first contribution towards the Fiji Government’s relief efforts for TC Harold and the  global pandemic COVID-19. https://www.spc.int/updates/news/media-release/2020/05/seeds-handover-to-fiji-government-and-launch-of-new-regional

Some reflections on this years Head of Fisheries Meeting, held virtually under the cloud of COVID-19. 

The arrival of COVID-19 in the Pacific is changing the way the region works. In this edition of the Podcast we hear how SPC is adjusting to the crisis, while ensuring that its core work continues to progress. 

Niue suffered significant damage during cyclone Heta in January 2004, sustaining winds greater than 240km/h, classifying it as a category 4-5 cyclone. The Niue Hospital and dwellings near the shore were damaged as huge waves crossed the cliff line and battered houses, roads and the fuel depot. In response, Niue, with help from the Pacific Community established National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).

The European Union (EU) has provided EUR 3 million (FJD 7.2 million) to the Pacific Community’s to strengthen health security in the Pacific. The Public Health Surveillance Network Services to Strengthen Health Security in the Pacific project, which will be led by Pacific Community’s (SPC) Public Health Division, will support regional capacity for surveillance and epidemiology; laboratory services and systems; vector and disease surveillance and control; and risk communication.

Papua New Guinea sits on the 'ring of fire' and has a history of volcanic activity. A volcanic eruption can be devastating to local communities, so the government is working with SPC's Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific (BSRP) to increase the nations early warning and resilience capacity. Better monitoring systems combined with traditional knowledge are helping to ensure that when the next eruption takes place the people of PNG will be ready. 

The eruption of the Manaro volcano in Vanuatu caught many off guard and forced thousands residents of villages in the area to evacuate.  Vanuatu is now  working to ensure they are better prepared for these types of evacuations in the future, in part through the establishment of a coordination center in Santo.   

While strong public awareness efforts about disaster preparation are underway across the Pacific, how can officials be certain they are reaching the regions most vulnerable populations? Would a 5 year old child know what to do during a disaster? How can a child safeguard themselves before or during a sudden disaster? These are some of the questions the Samoan Government aimed to answer with its early childhood disaster materials for pre-school children and teachers.

Our weekly podcast comes a bit early this week as we mark the end of 16 Days of Activism with a program about how the Solomon Islands is using drama to tackle the issue of domestic violence. 

New water and electricity supply schemes have been officially opened on Kiritimati Island, providing greener energy sources and improving access to clean drinking water for the local hospital and more than 400 households in the communities of Tennessee and Ronton.

New Zealand’s strong commitment to supporting sustainable development in the Pacific was highlighted during a small ceremony this week, which marked the official extension of its partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC). The new five-year partnership between the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and SPC commits NZ$45 million (NZ$9 million per annum), a significant increase on New Zealand’s current funding for the organization.

Understanding where we are and where things are in relation to us has always been important.  Anyone who has ever used a smartphone app to locate themselves or search for driving directions can appreciate how widespread this technology has become, to the point that it is even taken for granted. ‘Where’ is now at everyone’s fingertips. On Earth’s dynamic surface, however, ‘where’ we are is constantly changing. We understand this through Geodesy, the scientific discipline that enables us to...

For centuries, pacific people have traveled across the vast oceans using traditional canoes and other means of transportation. Today hundreds of thousands of people are dependent on sea and shipping services for business, inter-island travel or just the daily commute to get to work or school. Sea transportation is also the only source of income for many in the region like 29 year old Frankie Kaltex who operates a water taxi in Port Vila, Vanuatu, one of the busiest ports in the region.

NCDs are now the leading cause of death, disease and disability in the Pacific and diabetes prevalence is 3 to 4 times higher than elsewhere in the world. Left unchecked, NCDs will cause serious health and social problems for individuals and their families, overwhelm national health systems, and severely limit the development potential of the entire Pacific region.

A local tilapia fish farmer is inspiring change in Fiji. With some investment and a little training, the farm has become a model operation, showing the way for other farmers to see success in tilapia farming.

Representatives of the 26 countries and territories that govern the Pacific Community (SPC) have gathered in Noumea, New Caledonia for the 49th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations and the 11th Conference of the Pacific Community.  In this final podcast,  we hear highlights from keynote presentations and review the outcomes of the 11th Conference. 

Representatives of the 26 countries and territories that govern the Pacific Community (SPC) have gathered in Noumea, New Caledonia for the 49th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations and the 11th Conference of the Pacific Community.  In this podcast, we speak highlight a new agreement signed this week between SPC and its CROP partner SPREP, which will support the ambitious Pacific Data Hub. 

   Representatives of the 26 countries and territories that govern the Pacific Community (SPC) have gathered in Noumea, New Caledonia for the 49th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations and the 11th Conference of the Pacific Community.  In this podcast, we speak to representatives from some of SPC key partners about their work with the organization and their thoughts on this year’s CRGA and Conference theme.  In this episode: GIZ Pacific...

Representatives of the 26 countries and territories that govern the Pacific Community (SPC) have gathered in Noumea, New Caledonia for the 49th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations and the 11th Conference of the Pacific Community.   Breakout interactive sessions were held to help highlight some of SPC's key areas of work. In this podcast, we speak to moderators from sessions on Social Equality, Biodiversity, the Pacific Data Hub and the Pacific...

Representatives of the 26 countries and territories that govern the Pacific Community (SPC) have gathered in Noumea, New Caledonia for the 49th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations and the 11th Conference of the Pacific Community.  We speak to SPC's Deputy Director-General, Dr. Audrey Aumua and SPC's Director of Communications, Peter W. Foster about the expectations for the meeting and the significance of the meetings theme: "Ocean Science: A...

The inaugural Pacific Resilience Meeting (PRM) under the theme, ‘Youth Futures in a Resilient Pacific’ took place in Suva, Fiji this week. The event showcased inspiring examples of youth action, and communities and sectors working inclusively to save and improve lives and protect livelihoods. On this podcast we hear from a few of the participants about their experience at this landmark meeting

Fiji Minister for Women, Hon. Mereseini Vunidawa joins SPC's Deputy Director General Audrey Aumua, and FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali, for a discussion on the advancement of gender equality in the Pacific. 

To mark the 4th Annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Pacific Way team spoke to a few of the Pacific Community women who are leading the way in scientific work for the region.   

In the Pacific adapting to climate change is already a way of life. Learn how the people of the Marshall Islands are dealing with drought conditions as they face of future of climate extremes.  

On the atolls of Kiribati, finding and maintaining safe drinking water is an ongoing challenge. A growing population and the pressure of climate change are making this challenge even more difficult.