Welcome to the Bergen Pacific Studies website!
Since its establishment in 2005, the Bergen Pacific Studies Research Group (BPS) has been focused on research concerning Pacific Islands affairs. Most of our members are social anthropologists, and we cooperate with scholars from other disciplines, such as history, marine sciences, philosophy, political science, geology and law, in our projects. Throughout these pages you can find information about our members, projects, partnerships and events. You can also find lists of publications and contact information for each of the BPS researchers. Please have a look around!
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A Relocation Trust Fund will be set up by the Fiji government to help villages facing the threat of climate change. ... See MoreSee Less Palau's Leadership updated on Our Ocean 2020 Conference
In a collective voice of unity and support, the nation’s leadership this week pledged to work together to ensure a successful Our Ocean Conference 2020 next year in August.
On April 15 at the Olbiil Era Kelulau Satellite Office in Koror, Our Ocean 2020 Executive Committee and organizing teams reported to Palau's leaders on the progress of preparations for what will be the largest and highest profile conference ever held in Palau and the Micronesia region- the “Our Ocean 2020”. The Our Ocean 2020 Committee, which consists of ministers, government agencies, industry representatives, civil society, and others, is tasked with developing policy and overall guidance for planning and development of the conference theme, agenda, and budget.
During Wednesday’s meeting, President Remengesau was joined by senators, delegates, traditional leaders, governors, speakers and government agency heads for full presentation on the plans and progress of preparations to date.
The annual Our Ocean Conference is an initiative of former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry under the Administration of President Barack Obama that began in 2014 with the inaugural meeting held in Washington, DC. It was then hosted by Chile in 2015, the United States again in 2016, the European Union in 2017, and Indonesia in 2018. It will be held in Norway this year, before coming to Palau in August 2020.
In hosting next year’s conference, the Republic of Palau will serve as the venue where experts, stakeholders, innovators and entrepreneurs share the stage with global leaders in ocean conservation to help solve our ocean’s biggest challenges, to discuss, inspire, and act on solutions towards the protection and well being of our ocean and its resources. Six major areas of action comprise the main theme of the annual conference: Marine Protected Areas, Climate Change, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Pollution, Sustainable Blue Economy, and Maritime Security.
The Committee also reported that so far, over 900 commitments have been pledged by governments, NGOs, corporations, United Nations entities, academia, the scientific community, philanthropic organizations, individuals, and many others to address the plight of the world’s oceans. Together, they represent more than $28 billion in funding, technical and in-kind contributions.
Funding commitments have been secured from allied partners for the necessary infrastructure for the conference. They include a major overhaul of the Asahi Baseball field and adjacent facilities to serve as the main venue and a face-lift of the stretch of road and sidewalks from the National Post Office to the intersection to M-Dock.
“The Our Ocean 2020 Conference will convene leaders from major countries and organizations who are global ocean champions to discuss and take action on issues and solutions…,” the Committee said in its update presentation. ... See MoreSee Less Photo Analysis of climate change adaptation projects in the Pacific shows most focus on rural areas, heavy infrastructure and policy development. Climate change planning for the cities and towns has been limited, despite their rapid growth. ... See MoreSee Less "As you leave our shores Your Royal Highness, may we respectfully plead that Norway helps us in the Pacific to retain our proud, rich place in the world, by moving swiftly to eliminate exported emissions and de-escalate fossil fuel extraction." ... See MoreSee Less HRH Haakon Magnus Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Norway and his delegation bid Samoa farewell as they head back to Norway.
Samoa was the last stop of Crown Prince Haakon’s Pacific tour and Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa was on site to farewell the Crown Prince and delegation.
Kongehuset ... See MoreSee Less Photo The Crown Prince, HRH Prince Haakon’s last stop before departing Samoa was a luncheon hosted by the Ambassador of Norway 🇳🇴 H.E. Mr. Paul Gulleik Larsen. In attendance was Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa 🇼🇸 and the Women’s Leadership Group.
Kongehuset ... See MoreSee Less Photo
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