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UNESCO Pacific Office brought together about 40 experts working on earthquake, volcanoe, landslide and tsunami risks in the Pacific region, to initiate discussion and foster collective learning to better address common threats from geohazards. The meeting is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources of Fiji, in which representatives geology and meteorology departments from Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, New Caledonia and US participated in person, as well as online.

The Pacific Small Island Developing States are among the most vulnerable nations to adverse impacts of climate change and natural hazards. The immediate proximity to the Ring of Fire, where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis occur, makes it one of the most vulnerable regions to hazards in the world.  The Pacific Island countries have made investments to build research and monitoring infrastructure, set up early warning systems, understand and manage risks, and develop coping and adaptation interventions. Yet, science and scientific knowledge is still weakly mainstreamed in policy advise and practice, and more needs to be done to enhance the science-policy interface and communication on geohazards and related risks to the public at large. 

“This event presents a unique opportunity for researchers, experts, policymakers, and partners across the Pacific to explore cutting-edge techniques and practices in geohazard science and (disaster) management. Our collective experiences shared here will enable us to craft strategies that safeguard our communities and environment”  Minister of Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Filimoni Vosarogo

The meeting emphasized the need to work together to identify pathways to strongly integrate the science-based understanding on geohazards at various levels, develop capacities and enhance geohazard risk mitigation strategies. During the three days of presentations and discussions, collective learning to better address common threats from geohazards was fostered, hence contributing towards building resilient communities and sustainable development. Furthermore, the meeting provided with an opportunity to frame the discussion under the Early Warning System for All Initiative, as well as regional priorities of the Pacific States, paving the way for geohazards’ mainstreaming to comprehensive early warning systems.

As the only UN agency responsible for the promotion of international cooperation in science, UNESCO aims at developing a deeper scientific comprehension of the occurrence and distribution of natural hazards in time and space. By operating at the interface between natural and social sciences, education, culture, and communication, UNESCO plays a vital role in constructing a global culture of resilient communities. UNESCO Pacific Office will further pursue dialogue and cooperation for comprehensive geohazard risk reduction in the Pacific region.