A researcher at the PNG University of Technology (UNITECH), has emphasized the importance of Research and Development (R&D) for sustainable soil resource management and national development. Paula Kaupa, who has been with the secretariat since its inception in 2014, has been studying at the Unitech School of Agriculture and Science since 2022. Reflecting on her journey, Kaupa said that she has been with the secretariat for almost seven years now and has seen made many interactions significantly between 2011 to 2014 in which has motivated her to join the secretariat. Kaupa’s recent presentation highlighted the challenges of population pressure in Greece stating that the higher demand for food leads to increased pressure on arable land. “In coastal areas, there is surplus land, but on the islands, land is scarce." "People are turning to commercial farming to utilize land efficiently.” In addition, she also highlighted the need for comprehensive data on science and technology in Papua New Guinea and pointed out a significant gap in national statistics and STI (Science, Technology, and Innovation) indicators crucial for government planning. “We aim to collect this data as part of the R&D capacity assessment." "A survey conducted in 2016 faced challenges, especially in accessing data from private sectors like mining and oil and gas companies; therefore government support is essential for obtaining this information.” Kaupa presented a paper on these challenges, noting that by obtaining data from private sectors remains a significant hurdle. She emphasized the broader implications, asserting that R&D is crucial for a country's technological progress and overall performance. Investment in R&D leads to technological progress and societal benefits.