Enhancing Research and Innovation Ecosystems to address the impacts of Climate Change in the Pacific (RERIPA) is a project funded through the ACP-EU Innovation fund. The overall objective of the RERIPA project is to strengthen an inclusive Research and Innovation (R&I) environment, and the knowledge of climate change issues across the Pacific Region to face climate change impacts (CCI).
The original approach of RERIPA is to support the co-design and deployment of innovative solutions to tackle climate change by academic actors, companies, NGO’s, users’ representative, and public authorities, to respond to identified needs. In particular RERIPA focuses on 3 areas; coastal vulnerability, ocean health and rising sea level.
On the 10 August 2022, RERIPA held a workshop at the USP Laucala Campus in Suva to formally launch its project activities. The event was a success and was attended by more than 50 participants who were present at the face-to-face session as well as through zoom. Participants came from throughout the region and represented various stakeholders ranging from academics and researchers to private sector, NGO’s, youth groups and Government representatives.
The event was officially opened by Dr France Bailey, IRD Representative to New Caledonia and had opening remarks from Ambassador Solo Mara, Secretary General for the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), Dr Giulio Paunga, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Regional Campuses Estates and Infrastructure), University of the South Pacific, Ambassador Sujiro Seam, EU Representative to the Pacific and Prof Pal Ahluwalia, Vice Chancellor, University of the South Pacific.
The workshop served as the official “launch” of the project. The event was held to introduce stakeholders to RERIPA and provided detailed information on the project. It also provided the opportunity for participants to contribute towards developing the terms of reference for RERIPA’s Calls for Proposals related to living labs. A summary of the workshop report can be accessed here “(RERIPA August 10 Workshop Report)”
