Led by the Government of Fiji with support from FAO and SPC, this year's Pacific Week will include the Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry as well as the Regional Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services on 10 March and 9 March respectively.
Side Events
The first three days of PWAF (6–10 March) will feature a series of side events designed to address key topics facing the agriculture and forestry sectors in the Pacific region: Among them are:
- Pandemics, climate change and natural resource security,
- Transforming agriculture and forestry through science and technology, and
- Creating a circular green economy for agriculture and forestry.
Time: 11 am - 4.30 pm
OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT:
- To improve coordination and governance on soil resource management through effective partnerships and networking amongst stakeholders and countries in the Pacific region.
- To strengthen collaboration on soil research through joint research and capacity building across the Pacific.
- To improve the availability and access to soil data to support soil management in the region through information systems.
| MONDAY 6 MARCH 2023 | ||
| TIME | TOPIC | SPEAKERS |
| 11.00 – 11.20 | Introductions | MC Mr. Sione Foliaki |
| | Opening Remarks | NZ MFAT/Landcare NZ |
| | Opening Remarks | Lord Fohe, Hon. Minister MAFF Tonga |
| 11.20 – 11.35 |
Session 1. Vulnerabilities of the Pacific: Case of Tonga Volcano Eruption
|
NZ MFAT/Landcare NZ
Team Tonga, Mr Sione Foliaki/SPC Dr Viliami Manu, CEO MAFF, Tonga |
| 11.35 – 12.05 |
Session 2. Response and Recovery to Natural Disasters: Tonga Case
|
Dr Viliami Manu, CEO MAFF, Tonga
Dr Viliami Manu, CEO MAFF, Tonga Mr Soane Patolo, CEO MORDI Tonga Trust |
| 12.05 – 12.45 |
Session 3. The Role of Seeds
|
Mr Sione Foliaki, PS4L Coordinator, Tonga Ms Logotonu Waqainabete, CePaCT Manager, SPC |
| 12.50 – 13.50 | LUNCH | |
| 13.50 – 14.10 |
Session 4. The Role of Soils
|
Mr Vunivesi Minoneti, MAFF and Mr Sione Foliaki, PS4L, Tonga Dr Ben Macdonald and Dr Uta Stockmann, CSIRO |
| 14.10 – 14.40 |
Introduction to GSP/Pacific Soils Partnerships:
|
Mr Peter Wilson, PSP Chair, CSIRO |
| 14.40 – 15.10 |
Understanding National Soil Priorities:
|
Dr Siosiua Halavatau, Soil Scientist, Tonga Mr Matio Lonalona, Director MAF, Tuvalu Dr Ellen Iramu, SPC |
| 15.10 – 15.15 | BREAK | |
| 15.15 – 15.55 |
Workshop:
|
All |
| 15.55 – 16.05 | Feedback from group discussions | Group Facilitators |
| 16.05 – 16.20 | Q&A and Discussions | All |
| 16.20 – 16.30 | Way Forward: Upcoming Opportunities | ACIAR |
| 18.00 – 19.30 | Networking | Moderator/SPC |