The Pacific Ports community will converge on Apia for the 44^th Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance (P.M.T.A.) annual conference next month.

To be held from July 2-4 at the TATTE building, the conference is being co-hosted by the P.M.T.A. Secretariat and the Samoa Ports Authority (S.P.A.). 

With the theme “Ports connectivity, Pacific Prosperity”, the conference looks at discussing issues of mutual interest and concerns between the members of the alliance. 

A press statement outlined two major areas of discussion that will elaborate more on the theme, which are: “Promoting regional cooperation, friendship and understanding between member ports and port users through mutual alliances, sharing and exchange of knowledge and resources as well as the dissemination of information useful to port owners, operators and users of port services, and promoting of measures to increase efficiency and safety and to facilitate the harmonious development of ports in the Pacific region.”

The conference will also touch on concerns around climate change. 

This “includes the presentation of a paper on the proposed green ports initiative intended to support Pacific Island countries and territories to develop and implement plans aimed at increasing the efficiency and sustainability of port operations which incorporate various energy and environmental concerns.”

Expected to attend are representatives and port stakeholders from Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Phonpei, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and associate P.T.M.A. members of New Zealand and Australia. 

Country representatives will have an opportunity to present their in-country port situation and explore joint approaches to address their challenges with others present, said the statement. 

Conference presentations and talks will feature elected officials from Regional Organisations like Asian Development Bank, South Pacific Community, South Pacific Regional Environment Programme and J.I.C.A., transportation agency heads, construction consultancies and other transportation industry thought-leaders addressing a set of facilitated questions about freight transportation, infrastructure modernization needs and possible funding solutions.

A highlight of the conference is the council forum, which will take place on Tuesday, 2 July at 10.00am follow by the traditional ava ceremony to welcome all participants at STA Fale at 4.00pm. 

There will also be booths showcasing ports, maritime and transport products, services and technological innovations from around the Pacific and beyond; these booths’ will be open to the public.  

The final event will be the celebration of the Samoa Ports Authority’s 20^th anniversary since its establishment in July 1999. A thanksgiving service will be held on Friday 5^th July in the morning with a 20^th anniversary reception in the evening. 

P.M.T.A. has an executive committee comprising the President, Vice President, immediate past president and four regular members on a rotating basis. The General Manager (C.E.O.) of Samoa Ports Authority, So’oalo Kuresa So’oalo, who is the current P.M.T.A. President.