Each year, AFRAN runs an annual National Forum to exhibit and discuss current cooperation and areas of future cooperation upscaling potential. The theme for 2020 is “Oceania: a strategic arena for collaboration and navigation of 21st Century research and innovation challenges”.

This year, the annual forum will be held over two days, on December 8 and 9, 2020, and will be hosted by the AFRAN Pacific Hub in Nouméa (New Caledonia) and online*. It will discuss Pacific topics and Australia-Pacific relations/cooperations. This event will display current collaborations, facilitate the development of new connections, and discuss new opportunities.

Programme:

December 8 - DAY 1:

4.45-5.00 pm Registration, Coffee and tea

5.00-5.30pm

• A/Prof Katherine Deniell, AFRAN President
• Mr. Jean-Pierre Tébaut, Ambassador of France in Australia
• Eléonore Laine-Forrest, Présidente de la Commission des Relations Internationales, Université de Nouvelle Calédonie
• Cameron Diver, SPC Deputy Director General

5.30-5.45pm Keynote: The COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania – lessons and perspectives -- Yann BARGUIL, CHT Noumea

5.45-7.45pm Discussion panel, Cooperating in Oceania: what research and innovation cooperation responses are possible?

December 9 - DAY 2 (delivered online):

9.15-10.45 am Parallel Thematic workshops:

1. Livelihoods & Resources
2. Health cooperation
3. Space
4. Culture, knowledge and environment
5. AFRAN mechanisms to support the cooperation.

11.00-11.50 am Plenary exchange and development of an AFRAN Oceania hub roadmap

12.15-12.45 am AFRAN AGM (members only)

*To register: Please select tickets for DAY 1 for either in-person or online attendance.