THREE functions of the Pacific Island Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) focused on Information, Communication Technology (ICT), energy and climate change have been transferred to two other regional counterparts as part of reforms within regional organisations.
Three letters of agreement were signed to this effect last Wednesday, allowing for the effective transfer and integration of these functions into the other two organisations -- Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP).
The letters of agreement were signed by SOPAC director Dr Russell Howorth, SPC director general Dr Jimmie Rodgers, and SPREP deputy director Kosi Latu.
Energy and ICT program activities were transferred to the SPC with seven and two staff transferred to SPC respectively as well. The program on climate change was transferred to SPREP.
Dr Howorth said the regional institution framework (RIF) review process, which the leaders committed to in 2005, had progressed over the past five years "slowly but positively".
He said it was time to review RIF and it was recommended that some SOPAC programs be integrated into SPREP and SPC.