The Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Network has adopted its first ever interim STAR Constitution.

This was done during the Annual Business Meeting as part of the 2017 STAR Conference which concluded on Thursday.

Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Permanent Secretary Malakai Finau, said: “The proposal is for the Constitution to be accepted as an interim document to be passed at a later sitting of the STAR Network as a way forward for the network.”

The forum accepted suggestions for the inclusion of science policy commitments into the Constitution, which was already by default a part of the STAR Network framework since its inception in 1984, and the linking of existing policy to related sciences through the former SOPAC governing council.

Recommendations highlighting the importance of resources, certain aspects of sustainability and operational funding of the organisation were also included in the interim document.

A recommendation which was also discussed during the business meeting was for the STAR Network to become an autonomous body and for the records of all conference proceedings and the financial statements of 2016 to be approved as recognised documents.

The Geo-Resources Working Group Report was also tabled during the meeting specifying targeted areas of interest in the fields of Deep Sea Mineral Exploration, Ocean Satellite Imagery, Geothermal Energy and Sand and Gravel.

The next STAR Network Conference has been earmarked to be hosted again here in 2018 with Fiji once again securing the Chairmanship with a clear eagerness and commitment being shown by representatives to improve and include technical capacity building for future development.

Source: DEPTFO News

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