‘Our Ocean, Our Home: Climate Resilience for a Blue Pacific.’ This is the theme under which the fourth iteration of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Climate Change Conference (POPCCC) will be convened from 21 – 23 May 2024 in Apia, Samoa.
Jointly organised by the National University of Samoa (NUS), the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) hosted at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), the multi-disciplinary conference will bring together activities and experts, private, public, and civil society actors, and a variety of participants from the arts, faith communities, industry, and other backgrounds to shed light on the knowledge and interpretations related to the rapid changes in climate observed in the Pacific region.
The conference aims to raise awareness about specific challenges faced by Pacific islands as a result of climate change, which Pacific leaders have identified to be the single greatest threat to the security and livelihoods of Pacific people.
“Our Pacific communities are well aware of the negative impacts of climate change on their homes and livelihoods – it a lived reality for many of us. This is why it’s important for us to raise awareness of these challenges and also provide a platform whereby solutions and innovations can be shared with those who are living at the frontlines of climate change,” said Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General of SPREP.
“This is what we hope to do through continuing this partnership with NUS and VUW to bring about the fourth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference, and we are committed to strengthening this partnership even more in the years to come.”
The POPCCC is providing a platform to promote sustainable solutions and innovations for mitigating and adapting to climate change in the Pacific region, as well as to advocate for global climate action and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The conference will also facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among experts, policymakers, researchers and community leaders, as well as a pathway for research and articles to feed into the regional framework and for submissions to global platforms such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
“The National University of Samoa (NUS) is delighted to be a key partner in hosting the fourth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference (4POPCCC) in Apia, Samoa. As an institution dedicated to serving the Pacific region, NUS is committed to fostering discussions and sharing knowledge on climate change resilience in our Blue Pacific,” said Professor Tuifuisa'a Patila Malua Amosa, the Vice Chancellor and President on NUS.
“We encourage all interested participants to register for the conference on the NUS website at: https://nus.edu.ws/4th-popccc/ and join us in these important conversations as we look forward to a successful conference in May 2024.”
A call for abstracts went out earlier this year, inviting community representatives, researchers, scientists, and experts on climate change to submit abstracts for the parallel sessions and poster presentations. The call for abstracts has since closed, but registration for the conference is now open through the NUS website. Submitted abstracts are now being reviewed.
“The Pacific is at the front line of climate change impacts. This conference is a vital venue for cross-disciplinary discussions on our response, locally and globally,” says Associate Professor Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, VUW Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika.
We encourage people to attend and participate in this important dialogue. To register, click: https://popccc.nus.edu.ws/page/Homepage
The fourth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference (4POPCCC) from 20-24 May 2024 is held in Apia, Samoa. It is organised by the National University of Samoa (NUS) in partnership with the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) hosted at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. The theme of the conference is “Our Ocean, Our Home: Climate Resilience for a Blue Pacific.” Further information can be found on: https://nus.edu.ws/4th-popccc/