Page 12 - IB FEB 2017

SPC, 70 years on
TradeThe Region

by Dr Colin Tukuitoga
THIS year marks the 70th Anniversary of
the Pacific Community – SPC, and we are
excited at the timely opportunity to reflect
and celebrate the shared progress we have
made with our members and partners over
the years.
Seventy years ago, the Pacific Com-
munity was established by treaty. The
Canberra Agreement was signed by the
governments of Australia, France, Great
Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand
and the United States of America in 1947
establishing the organization that came to
be known as the South Pacific Commission
(SPC), and today – the Pacific Community
(SPC). The organisation was created to
support the administration and welfare
of dependent Pacific Island territories
and protectorates and bring stability to
the Pacific after the turbulence of World
War II. In continued commitment and
partnership, France agreed to host SPC
headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia,
where they continue to operate today, after
moving from their temporary location in The first South Pacific Conference held in Fiji at the Nasinu Teachers Training College in 1950.
Sydney in 1949.
Seventy years on, through enduring Pathway and the 2030 Development distributes planting material for disease-
collaboration, cooperation and partner- Agenda and its Sustainable Development resistant and climate tolerant varieties of
ship, SPC has grown into one of the pri- Goals. SPC is the principal scientific and traditional crops;
mary regional bodies contributing to the technical agency proudly supporting de- • Providing key contributions in fisheries
development of the Pacific Island region. velopment in the Pacific region since 1947, science and conservation management,
This is testimony to the strong leadership, working across over 20 sectors. SPC is and continues to manage the region’s tuna
commitment, and effective governance of renowned for its leadership in knowledge data holdings using the Tuna Fisheries
its members and partners to build and and innovation in dealing with cross- Database Management System;
shape their development organization cutting issues, such as: Food Security • Strengthening ocean governance, and
with a strong shared regional vision and and livelihoods, Climate Change, Disaster the framework for management of deep
purpose for a prosperous and resilient Risk Management, Public Health, Data for sea minerals;
Pacific. With a regional hub hosted by the Policy, Youth and Gender, Human Rights. • Strengthening resilience to disaster and
Government of Fiji, SPC also has offices Supporting our members’ development the effects of climate change by leading the
in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu (MSG) and aspirations, we provide leading contribu- development of the Strategy for Climate
Federated States of Micronesia improving tions in building a resilient Pacific Islands and Disaster Resilient Development in
our physical presence, sub-regionally and region. Some notable contributions in- the Pacific and mobilizing support for the
nationally, and strengthening on-going clude: Pacific Islands;
engagement. • Strengthening food security and liveli- • Increased responsiveness to regional
SPC’s efforts continue to be guided by hoods through its regional Centre for public health challenges by strengthening
our Strategic Plan 2016-2020, the Frame- Pacific Crops and Trees (CePACT), which regional coordination through the Pacific
work for Pacific Regionalism, the SAMOA conserves and manages biodiversity and Health Development Framework and the

12 Islands Business, February 2017