"In the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, a key challenge under our Strategic Plan (2010-2014) is the establishment of a Geo-Spatial Data/Information system," said Lands Ministry permanent secretary Maria Matavewa.
Ms Matavewa was speaking at the Pacific Islands Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing Conference this week. "There are deep concerns and challenges facing our small islands," she stressed.
Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission director Cristelle Pratt said the growing recognition of the value of image data and remote sensing and GIS applications for disaster risk management applications was becoming more evident.
The importance of such applications was demonstrated during various natural hazards that impacted the region earlier this year, such as the tsunamis that hit Samoa and Tonga according to Ms Pratt.
"We look forward to strengthening our relationship with UN SPIDER and agencies through such networks as this conference and the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network that ring together risk reduction and disaster management practitioners," she said.
However Ms Pratt stressed that greater coordination and cooperation between community risk programmes and the GIS and Remote Sensing Unit would be required to ensure timely products and services.