14th October, 2013, Suva, Fiji – “Ocean Governance in the Pacific Islands Region” is the theme of theUN-Nippon Foundation Pacific Island States Alumni Meeting which is being hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji this week.
The Pacific meeting marks the 5th meeting of the UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumni organized by the United Nations Division for the Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea office (DOALOS) with financial support of the Nippon Foundation. This year, nine alumni representing six Pacific Island countries are attending the training.
“Since 2009 we have trained over 90 alumni from 58 states,” says Ms. Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, Director, DOALOS. “This is an opportunity for our alumni of the Pacific Island States to share experience and knowledge and build networks. They are our potential future leaders in respect to oceans in the Pacific. This week provides an opportunity to foster South-South cooperation and a more cohesive and networked alumni.”
While the Fellowhip Programme aims to network a new generation of ocean leaders and managers globally, it also presents an opportunity for Pacific fellows to carry out oceans governance focused research and contribute to improving awareness and understanding of key issues in ocean affairs at the international level.
“This workshop presents an important opportunity for Pacific Island countries to build and tap into the expanding pool of home-grown oceans expertise in the region,” says Mr. Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. “It is important that we foster and effectively utilize this expertise to the challenges of effectively managing and conserving our Pacific Oceans.”
Ms. Anama Solofa, Regional Alumni Representative, commented, “It is our hope that this discussions, experiences and partnerships that will be forged here this week will continue to assist us in our respective work ad efforts in oceans management.”
The meeting runs for five days concluding on Friday 18th October.
FORUM SECRETARIAT