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#OceanAction18938
APRU network of experts, future leaders and policy makers addressing the health of the Pacific Ocean and its marine and coastal resources
by APRU (Non-governmental organization (NGO))
The Association of Pacific Rim Universities, APRU (apru.org) is committed to raising awareness and addressing major challenges affecting the health of the Pacific Ocean and its marine and coastal resources. We will achieve this by developing an effective network platform, connecting latest research and science with policy makers and international partners while encouraging future leaders to take on these challenges.

As the main network of leading universities linking Asia, Oceania and the Americas, APRU is the Voice of Knowledge and Innovation for the Asia-Pacific region. We bring together thought leaders, researchers, and policy makers to exchange ideas and collaborate on effective solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.

Over the past year APRU has implemented the following initiatives with the aim of supporting the SDG14:
- an international case competition reaching out to over two million students in the Asia-Pacific in partnership with The New York Times, to raise awareness on the impact of climate change on the Pacific Ocean.

- active engagement with UN initiatives and APEC working groups, committing resources and contributing research expertise to address key challenges of the Pacific Ocean.

To protect the Pacific Ocean and its coastal and marine biodiversity, APRU sees a need for Asia-Pacific research experts and higher education institutions to work collaboratively with governments, industry and civil society to create a connected, multidisciplinary approach to support the implementation of SDG14.

APRU IS COMMITTED TO:
1) raising awareness and encouraging future leaders in the Asia-Pacific to engage with problems the Pacific Ocean faces through annual student-focused activities in collaboration with international partners.

2) supporting capacity building across the Asia-Pacific by developing a network of research centers and experts across disciplines, facilitating best practice sharing and cross disciplinary collaborations.

3) building an effective platform connecting latest research and experts across the Asia-Pacific with policy makers and international organizations actively facilitating policy development and implementation.
Progress reports
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
  • Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
  • Research capacity development
  • Data access and sharing
  • Training and professional development
  • Scientific cooperation
2018
Capability analysis of APRU research centers, mapping of their expertise on the Pacific Ocean using data analytics
2020
Series of student competitions with international partners aimed at future leaders, raising awareness of key challenges affecting the Pacific Ocean
2020
Development of events, workshops and symposia series
2020
Participation in UN and APEC meetings and projects providing active contribution to the policy development process
Staff / Technical expertise
Expert Contribution from APRU International Secretariat, academic member experts and industry partners
In-kind contribution
Travel and staff time from APRU International Secretariat, academic member experts and industry partners to support research, knowledge exchange and partnership development
Basic information
Time-frame: January 2017 - December 2020
Website
Partners
APRU, The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, The University of British Columbia, University of Chile, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Peking University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China), Nanjing University, The University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China), Tsinghua University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Zhejiang University, National Taiwan University (Taiwan, Province of China), National Tsing Hua University, University of Indonesia, Keio University, Nagoya University, Osaka University, The University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Waseda University, KAIST, Korea University, POSTECH, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, University of Malaya, Tecnológico de Monterrey, The University of Auckland, University of the Philippines, Far Eastern Federal University, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Chulalongkorn University, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Davis, University of California, Irvine, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, University of Oregon, University of Southern California, University of Washington, Elsevier
Ocean Basins
  • North Pacific
  • South Pacific
Beneficiary countries
Other beneficaries
Contact information
Christina Schönleber, Director (Policy and Programs), christina.schoenleber@apru.org, +852 34692551
Hong Kong (Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China)
Other SDGs
United Nations