Samoa is set to become a major hub for scientific innovation in the Pacific, with the launch of the Pacific Academy of Sciences. Unveiled during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Academy aims to address pressing regional issues like climate change and sustainable development by uniting leading Pacific scientists.
Professor Jito Vanualailai of the University of the South Pacific, one of 12 inaugural Foundation Fellows, expressed optimism for the Academy’s role in fostering solutions tailored to the Pacific’s unique environment and social challenges. “Through regional collaboration, we can create innovative, context-specific solutions,” he said.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa highlighted the Academy’s role in transcending borders for the advancement of science and policy. “Today’s challenges require international collaboration,” she noted, emphasizing the Academy’s potential to amplify Pacific voices globally.
The Academy promises mentorship for young scientists, advancing a new era of regional research excellence.
