Annual Session Home Page

TUVALU

37th ANNUAL SESSION

21st – 30th October 2008 in Funafuti, Tuvalu

Hosted by the Government of Tuvalu

INFORMATION CIRCULAR

The 37th Annual Session of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) will be hosted by Tuvalu in Funafuti from Wednesday 22nd to Thursday 30th October, 2008, at the 2nd Floor Conference Room, Government Buildings. A preliminary timetable is attached. The Theme for the 37th Annual Session of the SOPAC Governing Council and its related meetings is “Environmental Change and Oceanic Islands - Especially with Respect to Managing Water Resources and Sanitation on Atolls.�?

The purpose of SOPAC Annual Sessions is to bring together member country representatives, advisors from supporting governments, organisations and institutions and, scientists and technicians working in the Pacific Islands region. It provides an opportunity to review the progress and directions of the SOPAC Work Programme, and to stimulate and plan new, emerging initiatives needed by the region.

The Official Opening of Governing Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 0900am on Monday 27th October. The Official Opening will be preceded by a 3-day meeting of STAR (Science, Technology and Resources Network) to be held from Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th October. Sunday 26th October is a rest and recreation day.

During Council a 2-day combined meeting of Council and its Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will be held from the afternoon of Monday 27th and on Tuesday 28th October. The purpose of this combined meeting is for member countries and other delegates to discuss the SOPAC Work Programme. Space will be provided for poster displays, maps and other material relevant to the SOPAC Work Programme. Slide and overhead projection facilities will be available for STAR presentations.

Daily sessions will be held during the hours 0900h – 1230h and 1400h – 1730h. Time will be made available in the evenings for presentations that may be longer than can be fitted into the main programme, or are on topics not directly related to the SOPAC Work Programme.

Annual Session documents and STAR Abstracts will be provided to all delegates at the start of the Annual Session. In addition a summary record of proceedings will be produced and provided to all delegates at the close of the Annual Session.

REGISTRATION

Early registration is highly recommended. This is particularly so as flights in and out of Funafuti and accommodation on the atoll are both limited. Please indicate your intention to attend the 37th Annual Session by completing and returning the attached Preliminary Registration Form to the SOPAC Secretariat as soon as possible and no later than Friday, 20th June 2008. This will ensure that appropriate arrangements can be made in respect of flight arrangements and accommodation. If you have special needs please advise our Travel and Conference Officer Ms Laisa Baoa at laisa@sopac.org.

ANNUAL SESSION DOCUMENTS

During the Annual Session, substantive matters which participants may wish to raise under each appropriate agenda item may be outlined in a brief written Annual Session Document. These will be bound together and provided to delegates at the start of the Annual Session.

Annual Session documents should be sent to the Secretariat by COB on Monday 1st September 2008. They should be no more than two pages in length, with a separate document for each topic. Other papers may be presented by participants, but will not be included as formal Annual Session documents. In this regard delegates should bring a minimum of 80 copies for distribution at the Annual Session.

COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS

Working Groups of Council may be established at the start of the Session to consider issues of particular importance that may be raised in the Agenda, including work programme and budgetary matters. Some Working Groups may be established during the Session as issues arise in discussions. Reports from the Working Groups will be presented and considered at appropriate times during the Session and will be included in the Annual Session Proceedings.

STAR

All delegates are invited to make STAR presentations and participate in STAR Working Groups. It is the responsibility of the STAR Chair to report to Council on the STAR presentations in so far as they indicate new science and technical directions or have implications for the SOPAC Work Programme.

Those delegates who wish to make a presentation should indicate their intention on the Registration Form. Details of STAR themes and guidelines and working groups for the submission of STAR abstracts are available as a separate circular from the Chair of STAR, John Collen (john.collen@vuw.ac.nz) / the SOPAC Secretariat / the SOPAC Homepage http://www.sopac.org/Annual Session 2008. Abstracts should be sent to John Collen no later than 1st September 2008.

This year, the overall theme of the STAR meeting will be Environmental Change and Oceanic Islands - Especially with Respect to Managing Water Resources and Sanitation on Atolls. However, papers on any theme related to Pacific geoscience in the SOPAC region are also welcomed and will be included in the STAR Programme where possible. As the meeting is to be held in Tuvalu, it will provide an excellent opportunity for geoscientists interested in reef, lagoon and coastal studies to present the results of their research.

FLIGHT DETAILS

There are international flights in and out of Funafuti from Suva, provided by Air Fiji on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, we have been informed that additional flights in and out of Funafuti from Suva will commence later this year and these will be provided by Pacific Sun. The Secretariat will provide details on any changes to flight schedules as soon as they are made available to us.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tuvalu, formerly known, as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, with its nearest neighbors being Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls with a gross land area of 26 square kilometers.

Funafuti, the Capital, is located on the main atoll of Funafuti.

ENTRY FORMALITIES AND BAGGAGE

A valid passport and valid onward ticket together with proof of funds is a requirement for all participants. All delegates will be issued a visa upon arrival. There is a Departure Tax of AUD30.00.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The standard unit of currency is the Australian Dollar. Please note that Credit cards and Traveller’s Cheques are not accepted.

WEATHER AND DRESS

Tropical climate and humid. Dry in late May to early December and temperature averages about 20-24 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Bathing suits restricted to hotels/resorts.

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

The power supply is 240 volts, 50 cycles AC and take Australia and New Zealand type plugs.

COMMUNICATION

There are reliable telecom facilities in and out of Tuvalu.

Time

GMT/UTC +12