29 February 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has reported that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) of Japan. SPC and FFPRI will conduct collaborative research activities (CRAs) to identify and provide solutions to issues of tree breeding and stand improvement in coastal areas.

According to SPC, FFPRI is an independent administrative research organization, which conducts research on forestry and forest products, contributing to sustainable forest management (SFM). CRAs are expected to involve the exchange of scientific information and scientific experts. The first CRA involves research to improve Calophyllum inophyllum (dilo) for wind tolerance, through investigation of genetic variation distributed in the Pacific region. The research will take into account the need for trees to adapt to various regional environments and future climate change. [SPC Press Release]