The Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Network was founded in 1984 as a joint initiative between SOPAC1 and the IOC/UNESCO2. The STAR Network met annually for nearly three decades in conjunction with SOPAC, which provided secretariat support.  SOPAC is now the Geoscience Division of the Pacific Community (SPC), so the secretariat responsibility has transferred to SPC. In April 2015 at a Regional Geoscience Steering Group Meeting an agenda item considered the future of STAR.

At that regional geoscience meeting Pacific Island delegates decided:

• to strongly support the re-invigoration of STAR because of its value in refreshing and animating scientific alliances and showcasing useful work, techniques and instrumentation that may be adapted to address development issues of the Pacific;
  

The Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Network of the Pacific announces its 31st Meeting to be convened in Nadi, Fiji, from 7 to 9 June 2016 (tentative).

The meeting will be hoosted by the Mineral Resources Department, Fiji, and convened in conjunction with the Circum-Pacific Council (formerly the Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Minerals) and the Geoscience Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), formerly the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC).

The theme of the meeting is "Geosciences, Geo-engineering and the Ocean in the Pacific Islands Region".

Papers on science and technology related to the theme are encouraged but as always at STAR meetings, papers of a broader nature are also welcome.

The meeting is open to all stakeholders and in addition to the plenary science and technology programme of papers, poster sessions are encouraged. It is anticipated that specialist groups will organise events. A one-of-a-kind day field trip is being planned, details of which are being worked out.

With the network now embarking on a more independent model, the 2016 STAR Session will be charging a Conference Fee. More details on this will announced later. The conference fee will initially be at a greatly reduced rate for Pacific island nationals undertaking full time study and/or presenting a paper/poster.

Malakai Finau, Director of Mineral Development (Fiji), Chair of STAR

23 October 2015