Geoscience and Remote Sensing experts and users from around the Pacific region and the world came together this week. Connecting via virtual networks to interact and exchange ideas on how to address the various challenges they face was at the core of the annual Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing (PGRS) User conference 2021.
The conference was hosted by the Government of Vanuatu in partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the University of the South Pacific and Open Street Map Fiji. Taking place on 22 – 23 November 2021, it was also supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme through the Global Environment Facility-funded Inform Project.
This year’s PGRC conference is a special one, as it is the first conference to be hosted outside of Fiji, and also the first to have a women’s session, bringing together women to share their experiences working in the GIS and remote sensing field.
The Inform project’s Environmental GIS Specialist, Ms Vani Koroisamanunu and BIOPAMA project’s Spatial Analyst Specialist, Ms Kasaqa Tora, attended the conference on behalf of SPREP.
“We were proud to have been a part of this event that contributes to informed decision making through the provision of data. Every action that can help strengthen the outcomes of the Inform Project for the benefit of our Pacific islands, is a positive step towards growth and progress,” said Ms Koroisamanunu.
“We look forward to the results of the conference that has helped share lessons in this technical work field and helped strengthen relationships and networks amongst the vast range of expertise in this area.”
There were about 70 presenters from 19 different countries and a total of 300 participants from across the Pacific Island Countries that took part in the event, hosted on the Emalus Campus of the University of the South Pacific, as well as virtually.
The Inform Project is funded by the GEF and executed by SPREP. Starting in 2017 it ends in 2021 having worked across the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
You can learn more about the Inform Project at: https://www.sprep.org/inform.
You can learn more about the Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing User conference 2021 at: www.picgisrs.org.