Sir Peter Gluckman’s opening remarks at the Pacific Academy of Sciences launch

Sir Peter Gluckman gave his opening remarks at the launch of the Pacific Academy of Sciences.

October 23, 2024

Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Hon Tuala Tevaga, Iosefo Ponifasio, deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, scholars and friends

Talofa, Pacific Greetings, Kia ora

I am absolutely delighted to see a dream come true. When I was chief science advisor in New Zealand about a decade ago, I tried to interest people in what an Academy for the Pacific was so important but I failed. But when I became president of the International Science Council three years ago it was even more obvious to me that this broad canvas of peoples and islands was largely absent in the world of science. The International Science Council is after all the global body bringing all disciplines from social and natural science and all the national and regional academies together to be a strong voice for science.

So with the ISC board’s support, I approached Collin Tukuitonga and Lohi Matainaho and suggested we explore the need and value for an academy. We set up a working party to explore the issue and I committed to finding some funds in an exploratory meeting, which was held last October in Apia. I cannot thank Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Foundation for Peace and the Lounsberry Foundation who responded so positively and the Australian Academy of Sciences who are the ISC’s regional focal point supported by the Australian government, enough for their commitment. Collin and Lohi brought 70 scholars from the nations and territories of the Pacific together in Apia last year and so the formal process of establishing the academy started. Today it is launched with additional support from the New Zealand Government on the way. I want to thank the Government of Samoa and the National University of Samoa for their support and the Commonwealth Secretary General for allowing us to launch this academy as a side event to CHOGM.

The reasons for a Pacific academy are in my view absolutely compelling.

• To give voice to pacific scholars independent of their institutions and institutional politics
• To be a strong voice of pacific scholars in global discussions. The need is obvious – you are at the front line of many sustainability challenges where global and local science must come together with communities and governments to find the answers.
• To create a mechanism for Pacific scholars of all disciplines, natural and social, to work together on common problems
• To encourage young Pacific scholars to see they have a future as active scholars in the Pacific
• To protect and communicate Pacific knowledge and culture
• To allow Pacific scholars to create their own mechanisms for sharing knowledge perhaps with an electronic journal
• To show that irrespective of the developmental state of a nation, science can help and nation and region plan its path ahead.

I am truly delighted that Collin, Lohi, Des and others have got us to this point, and today, 12 foundation fellows have been announced, allowing the academy to immediately take shape.

As president of the ISC I can assure you we truly welcome you into the fellowship of academies and global scientific bodies. We want you to bring a strong Pacific voice to global scientific issues.