Pacific Academy of Sciences: A Pivotal Step Towards a Resilient Future
Sir Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland; Prof. Teatulohi Matainaho, Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea; Dr. Vomaranda Joy Botleng, Vanuatu; Robert Karoro, Kiribati; Dr. Eric Katovai, Solomon Islands National University; Prof. Sushil Kumar, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji; Peseta Suʻa Dr. Desmond Mene Lee Hang, National University of Samoa; Salote Nasalo, The University of the South Pacific; Prof. Steven Ratuva, University of Canterbury; Prof. Ora Renagi, Papua New Guinea University of Technology; Prof. Catherine Ris, University of New Caledonia; Merita Tuariʻi, Te Puna Vai Mārama, Cook Islands Research Centre.
The co-authors are members of the Pacific Establishment Committee, which represents different subregions of the Pacific and draws from diverse expertise of established and early and mid-career scholars. The committee is working to set the foundation of a future Pacific Academy of Sciences.
The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the Pacific Islands Development Program or the East-West Center.
Featured photo courtesy SAVS Photography.
There is a sense of urgency in the Pacific to establish an Academy of Sciences. It’s not just in response to regional challenges but a resounding call to unify and recognize Pacific scholars and their research to inform decisions about the region. This is a critical step forward for the Pacific, by the Pacific, that has global implications.
A historic agreement to establish a Pacific Academy of Sciences was reached at a meeting of 60 Pacific scholars in Apia, Samoa in October 2023. It marks a significant milestone in the shared pursuit of knowledge for a prosperous and thriving Pacific.
In the report from that meeting scholars urge that a future Academy, “represent the Pacific’s cultural diversity as well as its broad range of natural and social disciplines, and encourage science education in every form. The new body should complement the work of existing scientific, academic and diplomatic bodies and be ethical, transparent and inclusive, embracing the ‘Pacific Way’ of open dialogue, mutual respect and close cooperation.”
As we look around us, we see a world facing many challenges that demand our attention. The Pacific region, with its unique geographical, economic, and cultural diversity is particularly vulnerable, experiencing increasing impacts of climate change, resource extraction, environmental and marine degradation, social instability, and geopolitical tensions. A Pacific Academy of Sciences can address these challenges collectively and strategically.
The complex problems we face today are not confined by national borders; they demand collaboration on an international scale. A Pacific Academy provides a vital platform for scholars to collaborate, unite, and elevate the regional voice of science to the world. It’s a rallying point for transdisciplinary approaches that transcend boundaries and contribute meaningfully to decisions about our shared future.
It also holds immense promise in nurturing the next generation of scientists. Aspiring young scientists in the Pacific, often faced with limited resources and opportunities, stand to benefit from mentorship, career development, research funding, and invaluable networking opportunities that an Academy can provide.
We envision an opportunity that empowers youth, offering them the chance to cultivate globally relevant careers right at home in the Pacific ensuring a sustainable legacy of scientific excellence that resonates across generations.
The establishment of a Pacific Academy of Sciences is more than a regional effort; it is a global testament and commitment to promoting sustainable development. By providing collaborative solutions to complex problems, an Academy will be able to offer independent scientific advice to governments and decision-makers and inform public policy for the benefit of communities not just in the Pacific but globally.
When the Pacific Academy is launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia in October 2024, it will join the ranks of national and regional science academies globally as a member of the International Science Council, playing a pivotal role in contributing to the voice of science for the global common good.
Learned academies across the world play a significant role in giving science a more authoritative and influential voice than individuals or universities can raise alone, as they stand independent from government, academic, and commercial interests.
The establishment of the Pacific Academy of Sciences, which has received funding support from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, moves beyond a regional aspiration and is now a global imperative. It is a call to action for the international community to recognize and support the Pacific in its pursuit of knowledge for the prosperity and resilience of our shared planet. The time for a Pacific Academy of Sciences is now, and the world science community stands in solidarity with the Pacific as it takes this pivotal step towards a more sustainable and interconnected future.
Top Row (L-R): Robert Karoro, Kiribati; Salote Nasalo, University of the South Pacific; Prof. Ora Renagi, Papua New Guinea University of Technology; Merita Tuariʻi, Te Puna Vai Mārama, the Cook Islands Centre for Research; Sir Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland.
Bottom Row (L-R) Dr Vomaranda Joy Botleng, Vanuatu; Peseta Su’a Dr. Desmond Mene Lee Hang, National University of Samoa; Dr Eric Katovai, Solomon Islands National University; Prof. Sushil Kumar, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji.