Challenges for Geospatial Challenges for Geospatial development in the Pacificdevelopment in the Pacific

Samuela NaiceguceguSamuela Naicegucegu

The Pacific is BeautifulThe Pacific is Beautiful

GeographyGeography

have similar landform and vegetations, mostly are low-lying coastal nations some on par with sea level

Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions expanding over 165.25 million square kilometers

have access to large Economic Zones since the ratifications of the Law of the Sea Convention giving the Pacific exclusive rights to over the sea extending 200 nautical miles from our shorelines.

StatusStatus

share similar sustainable development challengessmall but growing populations, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, and fragile environments.

excessive dependence on international trade and reliance on assistances- transition of attitude borne out of imperialism and colonialism- to be led

More inclined to cultural and traditional values

Socio-economic platformSocio-economic platform

Ocean resources vast and abundant resources ofrich mineral deposits in its sea beds but require expensive technology capacity to develop (Duncan & Nakagawa).

disparity in distributions of resources can be clearly visible in the day to day struggle of our mostly communal populations and the dwindling values of existing developments.

why? in most cultural environments set latitude for innovations and political aspirations undermine motivations and determinations

Geospatial Information ActivitiesGeospatial Information Activities

Creation of National Mapping – more individualistic reliance on existing infrastructures – conversion of data into digital forms as norms

Mapping of Resources – the reliance on conventional methods

Reliance on existing geodetic datum infrastructures – though outdated but serves the purposes for large scale maps – use of conversion factors inbuilt within software/programs

Heavy reliance of utilities and infrastructures on data captured by authoritative mapping agencies

Geospatial AspirationsGeospatial Aspirations

out of INDIVIDUALISTIC NEEDS and ASPIRATIONS-Creation of different data sets by different institutional arrangements

Regional Organizations INITIATIVES and CONSULTANCIES

Answer to GLOBAL CONCERNS…….UN etc

Technology ??Tertiary studies

ChallengesChallenges

Limited resources narrow channel of funds for more tangible and visible developments for advancing political/personal aspirations

ChallengesChallenges

Program proposals are normally outdated where consultants’ reports or study reports normally go through bureaucratic processes to be finally approved and implemented

inadequate internet access provisions and in some instances for GIS development access is not possible at all.

ChallengesChallenges

Current Acts and legislations do not cover for modern technology advancements – some island nations like Fiji do not have the GPS surveying covered in the relevant Surveyors Act, Notices to Surveyors or the relevant land development acts and regulations

Lacking legal cutting edge slows down momentum for more cohesive efforts to instill validity of adherence to international or global standards.

ChallengesChallenges

Datum changes – there is lack of understanding of the need in referencing our mapping systems to the global reference system – WGS84, ITRF, GNSS.

Resources - most island nations do not have the capacity to sustain the technology – lacking the attitude and capability to help maintain the framework required to keep the developments going

ChallengesChallenges

‘top slice’ practices where majority of the funds are merely to promote work rather than offering adequate and appropriate capacity development.

Technology advancements may reduce employment opportunities- added load on our already struggling economy –unemployment, social problems

Setting effective policiesSetting effective policies

location-based policies and the effective use of geospatial information are powerful drivers for sustainable development.

need for an appropriate geospatial information infrastructure at all levels (local, national, regional) that can provide a geospatial integrative framework necessary to build a solid information base for accurate description

Designing the frameworkDesigning the framework

Developing a national, regional and global strategic framework

- Institutional arrangements- Legal common framework- harmonization of geospatial information

standards and best practices in the region – geodetic framework, standards

Building Capability and Capacity, Building Capability and Capacity,

look at ways to increase capacity and reduce the digital divide – we have to adapt

Promoting geospatial advocacy and awareness

review educational strategies to improve the awareness and literacy levels of geospatial information

knowledge sharing

inter-disciplinary cooperation in inter-disciplinary cooperation in geospatial informationgeospatial information

Review and embracing trends in information technology

Promoting data sharing, accessibility and dissemination

Working in partnership with civil society and the private sector

Data AuthorizationData Authorization

provide options for government and in their evolution to create national geospatial information authorities

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review policy options and the role of government regarding privacy and confidentiality of geospatial information

mechanisms for the government institutions and island nations to learn from each other and to share their concerns

The Question- are we in the The Question- are we in the right direction in Geospatial right direction in Geospatial Information development in Information development in

the Pacific??the Pacific??