South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
Established: In 1972 as a United Nations project jointly sponsored by the Economic and Social Committee for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In 1984 SOPAC’s legal status was changed to an inter-governmental regional organisation.
Location: the secretariat based in Suva, Fiji.
Director: Cristelle Pratt (New Zealand).
Aims: to support the development of natural resources, in particular non-living resources, investigating natural systems and the reduction of vulnerability through applied environmental geosciences, appropriate technologies, knowledge management, technical and policy advice, human resources development and advocacy of Pacific issues.
Work program: Based on long-term strategic plans for each of its three programs, developed by the Secretariat and supported by member countries. The three programs are:
1. the Oceans and Islands program which aims to improve scientific knowledge of ocean and island ecosystems for the sustainable management of natural resources
2. the Community Lifelines program which aims to improve access to energy, water and sanitation, and information and communications technology (ICT).
3. the Community Risks program which aims to improve hazard assessment and risk management practices to build safer communities.
Australian contribution: Australia provided core funding of AUD1,742,766 in 2007-08.
Membership: there are17 members, including: are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. American Samoa, French Polynesia, Tokelau and New Caledonia are associate members.
Contact Details for Further Information
If you have any further questions about the Pacific regional organisations, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade may be able to help you. Please contact:
Director, Pacific Regional Section
Phone: (02) 6261 2224
Fax: (02) 6261 2661