The 2019 Pacific Update got underway today at the University of the South Pacific.

Organized by the USPs School of Economics and the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre, the calendar event is a snapshot of the regional challenges and some resolutions in play.

This annual update will bring together policymakers, academics and development practitioners to present and discuss research relating to economic and social issues in Pacific Island countries.

Focus areas among others will include climate risk, gender empowerment, labor mobility, health, and foreign aid.

Among the several panel discussions, one of the first will be on the future of Pacific media in times of digital disruption, fake news, and geopolitical tension.

The 2019 Pacific Update is a three-day event that is being held at the USP’s Laucala Campus in Suva.