Seventh framework programme CAPACITIES specific programme Activities of international cooperation Coordination Support Action - Grant agreement no.: Pacific Europe NETWORK for Science and Technology PACE-Net Recommendations for a Strategic Plan on Research, Innovation and Development in the Pacific

Significance of the Pacific Sea of islands, less than 2% land Could be considered as „Large Ocean States“, rather than Pacific Island States High diversity of cultures & knowledge Reservoir of biological resources with economic potential Competetive arena for resource extraction and exploitation Real laboratory for global climate change challenges

Linking development goals with research Situation analysis & monitoring of policy impacts Policy briefs, investment & implementation roadmaps Capacity building, networking & information sharing to create project opportunities (e.g., SPC-UNIDO connection) EU-Pacific & Pan-Pacific dialogue & policy promotion to foster greater understanding Facilitated the establishment of Pacific Islands University Research Network (PIURN) Summary of PACE-Net Results

Need for a strategic research and innovation agenda Public policy based on scientific evidence and linked to development policy Address the specific needs/concerns of PICTs that don’t have innovation/research systems Research to contribute to the local economy and traditional Pacific culture Benefit from knowledge sharing in biodiversity & other common fields Thematic task forces to develop regional plans driven by national aspirations Closer link between needs and available funding and needs of the Pacific Need commitment to both long & short term objectives Need aligned funding for ACP-OCT collaboration Consider Horizon 2020 perspective in revised Pacific Plan Identify and promote thematic areas of excellence Policy Priorities from Discussion - I

Need for Pan-Pacific Research Governance Need for a regional mechanism to coordinate & monitor research, and align it with development and innovation Need for Better Science Communication Raising awareness of research Capacity building for south-south, and EU cooperation Innovation can be organisational Need for Pan-Pacific dialogue Open access to Pacific research Use Pacific Island Forum agenda to optimise dissemination and gather feedback from stakeholders Need for Systematic Capacity Building Use Horizon2020 to achieve Pacific research priorities Development of a National Contact Point (NCP) system Policy Priorities from Discussion - II

Immediate Actions Scientific evidence should contribute to the revised Pacific Plan (Pacific Island Forum) Wide dissemination of outcomes of the PACE-Net project to catalyze the development of national & regional research policy frameworks Creation of regional thematic task forces for research coordination Mid-term Actions Creation of a regional research authority Encourage development of multidisc. research teams Share PNG (and other) experience of use of indigenous knowledge and resources Action Priorities

Horizon 2020 priorities reflecting Pacific priorities Challenge 1: Health, Demographic change and wellbeing Challenge 2: European bioeconomy challenges: Food security, sustainable agriculture & forestry, marine & maritime and Inland water research Challenge 5: Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials Challenge 6: Inclusive, innovative and secure societies FUTURE Mobility

PACE-Net Pacific Europe NETWORK for S&T PACE-Net Conference Participants Suva, March 2013