Maupiti Island, French Polynesia. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory images by Robert Simmon, using EO-1 ALI data provided by the NASA EO-1 team.

The Board of the Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA) has announced the establishment of a Pacific Islands chapter, encompassing a collection of spatial organisations from across 22 islands.

The news comes as the Fijian Minister for Lands, Mere Vuniwaqa, recently encouraged Fijian companies to consider using geospatial information in their operations.

The developments originated in November 2014 when SIBA National General Manager, Kellee Ireland attended the Pacific GIS/RS User Conference in Suva, Fiji. There, Ireland discussed the feasibility of a chapter for the Pacific Islands with Michael Peterson, Director of Secretariat of the Pacific Community and Malakai Vakautawale, Principal Geospatial Officer of the Minister of Lands and Mineral Resources, Fiji.

For further information, visit the SIBA website.