🇸🇧 Solomon Islands

Gumese Puisasa

REMOTO (GIS & Monitoring) Lead Islands Knowledge Institute

Gumese Puisasa is the REMOTO (GIS & Monitoring) Lead at the Islands Knowledge Institute, a local NGO in the Solomon Islands. Gumese recently graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Master of Hydrogeology; he also holds a Bachelor of Science, majoring in the Earth Sciences, from the University of Auckland. His work experience spans the humanitarian, environmental (conservation), and community development sectors. In his current role, Gumese works with local indigenous community groups to strengthen indigenous guardianship through conservation initiatives, combining his geospatial training with an on-the-ground understanding of how Solomon Islands communities already manage land and water. His work involves mapping and monitoring natural resources in ways that respect and reinforce, rather than replace, existing indigenous governance structures over land and water. Going forward, as a water professional, Gumese wants to utilize his knowledge, skills and experiences to help communities in his country address challenges in the water sector, such as bolstering water security, improving access to safe and affordable water, and supporting conservation initiatives that work to protect watersheds across the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific.