Approaches and initiatives in the Pacific to address capacity-building needs in ocean science Jens Kruger, Manager Ocean Affairs, Pacific Community (SPC), [email protected] United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, 10 – 14 June, 2019 22 Countries and Territories 10 million people 28 million square kilometres Blue Pacific 20% of the world’s EEZs Pacific Islands Office of the Forum Fisheries Pacific Ocean Agency Commissioner University of the Pacific South Pacific Community Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Pacific Regional Forum Secretariat Environmental Programme Pacific Regional Frameworks & Strategies Framework for a Regional Strategy Pacific Islands A New Song for Pacific Oceanscape on Safety of Meteorological Coastal Fisheries Navigation Strategy Integrated ocean Effective services Improved Innovative approach management to fulfil Safety marine weather to dealing with of Navigation services and ocean declines in coastal services fisheries resources USP Graduates of Marine Science, or Marine Management Programmes 2009 – 2018: Undergraduate: 368 58% Women Postgraduate: 49 55% Women Postgraduate Tropical Meteorology Also on offer: (Postgraduate Physical Oceanography) FRAMEWORK TARGET 14.C FOR A PACIFIC Implement OCEANSCAPE international law: UN Convention on Priority 1 the Law of the Sea Ocean Science Training: oceanportal.spc.int Developed from stakeholder Ocean Outlooks feedback collected during national consultations. SPC working with NMS • Kiribati (2016) • Tonga (2017) • Tuvalu (2018) • Samoa (2018) • Vanuatu (2019) • Solomon Islands (2019) • Fiji (2019) National Ocean Policies in the Pacific In preparation: • Papua New Guinea Integrated Ocean Policy Solomon Islands Vanuatu's • Fiji Ocean Policy National Ocean National Ocean Policy, 2018 Policy, 2016 Vanuatu Ocean Science to Service & Policy Dialogue, May 2019 Multi-stakeholder dialogue to support ocean users and ocean policy implementers in Vanuatu Toney Tevi, Head of Ocean Division: “This workshop has already given us a lot of insight into what we should be utilising to make decisions.” Supported by SPC/PCCOS, SPREP, USP, OPOC Going forward and into the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Use existing structures and arrangements Carry out regional needs assessment for capacity building in ocean science (Decade, BBNJ, etc.) Be user focused and inclusive Show impact and tell a story.