Bula vinaka, Pacific geospatial community! In just one month, we will be coming together in Suva for the 2026 Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing User Conference, taking place from 30 November to 4 December 2026 at the Japan USP-ICT Hall, University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
Whether you are making maps, working with satellite imagery, managing natural resources, supporting disaster preparedness or taking your first steps in GIS, we would love to see you there. Bring a project you are proud of, a challenge you are working through, or simply your curiosity.
A community with plenty to share
Last year’s conference brought together 170 participants from 22 countries, including 16 Pacific Island countries and territories. The 2025 gathering featured 40 presentations, six discussion sessions, four workshops and a Women in GIS session, as documented in the PGRSC Newsletter, Issue 1/2026.
Those exchanges covered practical work with real relevance to island communities: mapping tsunami evacuation routes, supporting coral reef management and shoreline protection, monitoring forests, and using open-source GIS and Earth observation. You can explore the presentations and examples in the 2025 conference resources.
They are a reminder of what makes this gathering valuable: the opportunity to compare approaches, learn from neighbouring islands and meet people tackling similar challenges.
What will you bring to the conversation in 2026?
This year’s theme is “Strengthening and Expanding Geospatial Networks in the Pacific Islands”. It is an invitation to connect across islands, organisations and disciplines, and to share both what is working and what still needs attention.
The 2026 call for abstracts includes disaster risk management, forestry, marine applications, mapping, terrestrial topics and Women in GIS. If your work fits these areas, consider sharing it through a presentation or workshop. First-time contributors and experienced practitioners alike have something valuable to bring.
The published programme sets aside Friday, 4 December for workshops. Keep an eye on the 2026 programme as session details develop, and start planning the conversations you would like to have.
Make your plans — and invite a colleague
- Register to join us: visit the conference registration page for ticket options and payment information. Registration includes access to presentations and workshops, with lunches and refreshment breaks during the conference.
- Share your work: the currently announced abstract deadline is 31 October 2026 — tomorrow. Visit the abstract submission page for the latest guidance, or follow the submission guide.
- Prepare your visit: check the venue information and the conference overview, and share the invitation with colleagues who would benefit from joining.
Come ready to ask questions, share a lesson and make a new connection. One month to go — we look forward to welcoming you to Suva!
Featured photograph: participants at the 2024 Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing User Conference.