SPC media release
Secretariat of the Pacific Community,
95 promenade Roger Laroque – Anse Vata,
Second meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC).
SPC headquarters, 6–9 November 2012
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Applied Geoscience and Technology Division will hold its annual meeting
from 6 to 9 November 2012 at SPC headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. This annual meeting will allow geoscience
officials from SPC member countries to meet and exchange ideas on issues of importance to the Pacific.
The goal of the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division is to apply geology, oceanography and other earth sciences,
along with technology, to realise new opportunities for improving the livelihoods of Pacific communities. The division
is structured in three technical programmes: Ocean and Islands, Water and Sanitation, and Disaster Reduction.
The conference will include discussions on important regional issues like mining of deep sea mineral deposits and
management of the region’s fragile fresh water resources. But the division will also highlights emerging issues and
opportunities with specific presentations on topics such as reducing the risk of storm waves and surges in the Tuamotu
Archipelago, or the institutionalisation of disaster risk management training in Solomon Islands.
The media are invited to the opening ceremony on Tuesday 6 November at 8:30 a.m in the main conference room at SPC
headquarters.
The opening will be made by Mr Henry Puna, Cook Islands Prime Minister.
ENDS