“This opens a new level of collaboration with scientists throughout the South Pacific,” said Underwood. “Instead of approaching institutions one by one, we can network with all the institutions and organizations within the SPC framework on issues like island sustainability, renewable energy, population, agriculture, and the environment.”
SPC is a Pacific-based, international, inter-governmental organization established by treaty under the Canberra Agreement on Feb. 6, 1947. It has 26 members, comprising 22 Pacific Island countries and territories, and four metropolitan members – Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States.
These members govern and guide SPC in its work towards achieving a secure and prosperous Pacific region with healthy and well-educated people who are able to manage their resources according to environmentally and socially sustainable principles. SPC’s headquarters is in Noumea, New Caledonia.
It also has regional offices in Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, and project offices throughout the Pacific region.
“The benefits and outcomes gained by working together are far greater than those possible through our individual efforts,” Underwood said.
SPC and UOG have together identified eight themes on which to focus collaborative efforts over the next four years: (1) communication for behavior and social change; (2) higher education; (3) bio-security [invasive species ecology]; (4) diagnostic laboratory assistance; (5) biomedical sciences; (6) natural resources ecology including soils, forestry, agriculture and watershed restoration; (7) regional health communications and telecommunications; and (8) workforce development.
After the initial four-year period, the memorandum of agreement will be reviewed by both organizations every two years.
