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Workshop Outline – Objectives, Attendance and Feedback Vira Atalifo SOPAC Division, SPC Workshop Participants Workshop Participants The following 15 member countries of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) were represented: Cook Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji France Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Niue Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu United States and Vanuatu The following Governments also sent representatives: South Korea Peoples Republic of China and Timor Leste (a beneficiary of the DSM Project by request of the European Union) Workshop Participants International, Regional and National Agencies represented were: Commonwealth Secretariat Duke University European Union IFM-GEOMAR International Seabed Authority International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI) National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Pennsylvania State University Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) UNEP/GRID-Arendal United States Geological Survey (USGS) and World Bank Workshop Participants The following private sector and civil society entities were represented: Anindilyakwa Land Council BECA International Limited Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc Eco-Strategic Consultants Envi-Green Pacific Consultancy Limited Fiji Environmental Law Association GeoPacific Limited Greenpeace Australia Pacific Kontiki Capital Minerals Policy Institute MUSKITS Law Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) Nautilus Minerals Inc and North-South Environmental Law and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Workshop Objectives • Captures the significance of deep sea mineral for the region and the need for in-depth information sharing on this new industry; • Experts to talk on a broad range of issues related to deep sea minerals and mining; • Stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities, needs and priorities and agree on a number of broad outcomes for the way forward. DSM Project Communication and Visibility • Press release prepared and issued in February to media outlets in the region – “Regional Project to Promote Mineral Wealth” • Pacific Reach Limited contracted in May - Media works (prepare and disseminate press releases, TV and radio interviews, media liaison) prior to, during, and soon after the project inception workshop. • Two news articles published leading up to the workshop - led to expression of interest from various stakeholders in attending the workshop. DSM Project Communication and Visibility • All project meetings and important activities will be released through the media, also highlighting the financial support of the EU. Fig 1:Samples of DSM Project press releases within and outside the region. Specific Purposes of Workshop • Present the SPC-EU Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) Project together with the current status of marine minerals exploration and mining in the region; • Provide representatives of participating countries with relevant information on various aspects of deep sea minerals; • Highlight deep sea minerals potential in the region and promote information sharing; Specific Purposes of Workshop • Encourage countries and stakeholders to share their experiences and concerns as well as their expectation of the Project; • Stimulate discussions among stakeholders, and experts are expected to provide appropriate advice and guidance during the discussions; • Disseminate DSM Project Information Brochures and other relevant information to stakeholders; Specific Purposes of Workshop • Discuss collaborative opportunities with potential partners; • Identify challenges / needs / priorities with recommended approaches / strategies. • Consider feedbacks from stakeholders to improve task implementation and stakeholder participation; • Collective agreement on some broad outcomes for the way forward in the next four years DSM Project Steering Committee Meeting • Held on Wednesday evening 8th June 2011 at Tanoa • Oversee and validate the overall direction and policy of the project and keep track of the implementation of project activities • Representatives of participating countries, the DSM Team, a representative from the EU Delegation and the Secretary General of the PIFS as the Regional Authorising Officer • Next meeting October 2011, back to back with STAR/Heads of Geoscience Meeting DSM Project Steering Committee Meeting Outcomes • Translating Project information brochures to local languages in the region • Country-specific information brochures should be handed to the country of origin for information and distribution • DSM Project needs to target priority areas in each country and avoid having to spread its resources too thinly DSM Project Steering Committee Meeting Outcomes • PICs participating in the DSM Project could make a request for technical assistance at any time • Possible inclusion of Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the DSM Project • Australia and New Zealand’s interest to engage with the DSM Project should be explored Workshop Feedback:1.12 Overall rating of the workshop 1 - poor 2 - fair 3 - good 4 - very good 5 - excellent 0% 0% 5% 44% 51% Suggestions for Improvement Include:• Provide time for PIC’s reps to meet and jointly develop their talks based on pressing issues in their respective countries • Sessions to be organized so that presentations on similar topics are to be discussed jointly • As a single workshop, it was excellent but need to maintain momentum by following-up with smaller groups or countries • Capture what has been gained from this workshop and shape the next one to the most identified important areas Suggestions for Improvement Include:• Provide more information on the science and biology of DSM • Timely disseminate reports and new R & D information to stakeholders at all levels • Include community participation at separate meetings or sessions with the inclusion of FFA &/or fisheries officials, similar for tourism and other marine use sectors. Ko Rabwa and Vinaka