State of the Pacific 2015

Hosted by the Department of Pacific Affairs, the State of the Pacific conference (SOTP) brings together academics, policymakers, business leaders, civil society representatives, and media to present and discuss Pacific research and explore vital links between research and policy.

SOTP2015 will explore ways in which Pacific islanders are seeking to shape their own futures in response to internal and external pressures, and the ways in which Pacific societies, institutions and systems are evolving as a result.

The headline theme for the conference will be to mark the 40th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's Independence. A range of other contemporary issues will be explored through three other themes:

• Gender in the Pacific
• Challenges and opportunities associated with the environment, land and extractive industries
• Transitions and trends across the Pacific region