In a decisive push for a stronger, more integrated Pacific, the Pacific Community’s deputy director for Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP), Exsley Taloiburi, urged regional leaders and experts to turn ideas into action at the Second Regional Co-Design Workshop for Integrate Pasifika.
“This isn’t just another project; it’s a fundamental shift in how we approach regional collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Taloiburi said, emphasising the role Integrate Pasifika will play in reshaping disaster response and climate resilience efforts across the Pacific.
The platform, a flagship of New Zealand’s MFAT Climate Change Programme, is set to serve as a regional hub, bridging gaps in data, knowledge, and resources that are critical to Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
Reflecting on the recent Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Manila, Taloiburi described the Pacific’s influence among over 3,000 attendees as “remarkable,” adding that, despite the small Pacific delegation, the conference spotlighted the region’s innovations in early warning systems, disaster risk financing, and water security.
However, he questioned the sustainability of such exchanges without continuous follow-up.
“What happens to all this valuable knowledge after such events? How do we maintain meaningful connections with experts who can provide crucial insights?”
These questions drive the core purpose of Integrate Pasifika.
“Our Pacific region faces unique challenges: small size, isolation, and vulnerability to climate impacts,” he noted.
“Integrate Pasifika isn’t about collecting more data; it’s about gathering better, more meaningful data tailored to our specific needs. This is a living ecosystem, not just a platform.”
The initiative’s four focus areas underscore the Pacific Community’s (SPC) goal to blend traditional knowledge with modern science. Integrate Pasifika is dedicated to:
*Improving data quality for the unique Pacific context;
*Advancing data analysis and tools that include both tech-driven and traditional knowledge systems;
*Expanding training and coordination between governments and communities;
*Creating a framework where indigenous knowledge enriches modern scientific methods.
“We want Integrate Pasifika to become the go-to space for regional experts and counterparts,” said Taloiburi. “A place where best practices flourish, peer learning thrives, and solutions emerge from shared challenges.”
He highlighted success stories like the GIS & Remote Sensing User Groups and disaster risk financing working groups as examples of how structured collaboration boosts resilience and fosters local leadership. Integrate Pasifika is intended to not only strengthen these connections but to serve as a permanent home for such exchanges, beyond the scope of any single project.
Taloiburi also called on regional stakeholders to embrace and actively shape Integrate Pasifika, reiterating the role that local expertise and insights would play in its development.
“Your experiences and perspectives are crucial to ensuring that Integrate Pasifika truly serves the needs of our Pacific community,” he said.
Integrate Pasifika represents a long-term vision for PICs—a region where knowledge flows freely, resilience is strengthened, and disaster risk reduction becomes a shared, actionable commitment.
