Pacific history was made with the very first Pacific Virtual Climate Innovative Exhibition hosted by the Pacific Climate Change Centre. Hosted from 4 – 6 October, over two thousand people engaged in the event that consisted of both daily webinar sessions and virtual exhibitions.
Coordinated by the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), the Pacific Virtual Climate Innovative Exhibition connected people to learn of potential innovative solutions to climate change challenges faced in our region.
“This successful exhibition and related innovative climate change initiatives are part of the PCCC key pillars and functions to help our Pacific islands build climate resilience,” said Ms Tagaloa Cooper, Director of Climate Change Resilience of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“The strong interest we received in building this virtual space for people to connect has demonstrated that we are interested in both Pacific and global innovative solutions that others have learnt from, helping us to pave the way towards Pacific resilience.”
The Pacific region is experiencing the most severe impacts of climate change which will fundamentally impact ways of life within the region. The speed and severity of these impacts are such that business-as-usual responses are insufficient. Innovative approaches and the implementation of adaptation actions are essential. Similarly, the transition to low carbon economies innovative approaches which bring together the latest science and technology with locally determined needs. The outcomes of the exhibition will be showcased at a side event at the Moana Blue Pavilion on the margins of COP 27 meetings in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.
The virtual climate innovation exhibition showcased successful innovations and solutions on a regional and global level as well as articulating a framework for partnership between the PCCC and stakeholders to support initiatives related to climate change innovation while supporting awareness of innovative solutions amongst Pacific Islands.
Each day of the event brought together different panelists to talk under the themes of Natural Hazards and Disasters, Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Agriculture, Water Protection and Biodiversity. Innovative Exhibits featured GIKEN Ltd who showcased construction methods to change the worlds construction such as barriers that can withstand earthquakes, tsunamis and floods, as well as Kokusai Kogyo Co Ltd who are leading the way toward green communities from their unique geospatial information advantage.
Ms. Ofa Kaisamy, Manager of the PCCC, said that the "PCCC is pleased that over 400 participants registered and participated in the event and acknowledged the generosity of the Government of Ireland through the Irish Fund Aid to enable the PCCC to host the first Pacific Virtual Climate Exhibition event for our Pacific Islands. We acknowledge Varysian Cooperation Limited for their partnership to ensure there is a platform essential for dialogue between SPREP Member countries, innovators, universities, the private sector, and stakeholders. We consider this event a great success!"
The nine innovative exhibitors featured during the 3-day event included XDI Systems, Giken Ltd, University of New South Wales, Fiji Ministry of Economy, Beyond Essential Systems, University of Newcastle Australia, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Karma Verde Fresh SAPI de CV and Kokusai Kogyo.Co., Ltd. In addition to these, a large number of organisations showcased their innovations in the virtual booth space.
To view the full agenda of the event that was held from 4 – 6 October, please visit: https://www.sprep.org/sites/default/files/documents/circulars/Cir22-85_Agenda.pdfFor more information, please contact [email protected].
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The Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) is the regional Centre of excellence for climate change information, research, and innovation, hosted at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Apia, Samoa. As a Centre of excellence, the PCCC is mandated to provide practical information, support, and training to address the adaptation and mitigation priorities of Pacific Island communities.
The PCCC is underpinned by strong partnerships with Pacific Governments, applied research institutions, donors, civil society, and the private sector. The PCCC is a partnership between the Governments of Japan and Samoa. It is funded under grant aid through JICA for Samoa as the host country of SPREP. Additionally, the Centre receives generous funding and support from the Governments of New Zealand, Ireland, and Australia.