In a significant development for regional collaboration in the Pacific, Samoa has been selected as the location for the Pacific Islands Academy of Sciences and Humanities secretariat. 

The Academy is set to operate as an independent, not-for-profit, and non-governmental organisation, and aims to serve as a platform for elevating and coordinating scientific and humanistic voices across the Pacific Islands. 

With a mission to advance knowledge and understanding in various fields, the Academy seeks to foster cooperation and innovation throughout the region.

Anticipation surrounds the formal launch of the Academy, which is expected to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled to take place in Samoa in October. 

The launch will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and leaders to highlight the importance of scientific research and cultural exchange in addressing regional challenges.

A spokesperson representing the International Science Council's Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific, the entity responsible for guiding the establishment of the Academy, confirmed that the decision to establish the headquarters in Samoa was endorsed by the Pacific Establishment Committee. 

This decision reflects Samoa's commitment to promoting scientific advancement and interdisciplinary dialogue within the Pacific community.

“Factors considered in arriving at this decision included ease of doing business, political stability, and proximity to other regional organisations based in Samoa such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP),” the spokesperson said.

In a statement provided by the International Science Council, it noted that there is a sense of urgency in the Pacific to establish an Academy of Sciences and Humanities. 

It’s not just in response to regional challenges but a resounding call to unify and recognise Pacific scholars and their research to inform international decisions about the region. The Pacific is taking a critical step forward, and the global implications of this movement are profound.

“The establishment of the Pacific Academy of Sciences and Humanities moves beyond a regional aspiration and is now a global imperative.

“It is a call to action for the international community to recognise and support the Pacific in its pursuit of knowledge for the prosperity and resilience of our shared planet. “The time for this Academy is now, and the world should stand in solidarity with the Pacific as it takes this pivotal step towards a more sustainable and interconnected future.”