Governance Of Pacific Ocean

In sunny Suva next month, Pacific Islands delegates and stakeholders will meet for the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Forum.

This Forum wants to look at ways to implement the Regional Ocean Policy endorsed by the region's political leaders in 2002. The Forum plans to provide an Integrated Framework for Action with initiatives to improve governance of the Pacific Ocean, our waterways, and coastal ecosystems at national and regional levels. This is to ensure that together, we can all help our communities to benefit from the abundant resources and services that our generations both past and present have been able to enjoy.

Even so, our island ecosystems remain vulnerable. Although they are mainly small with a narrow resource base, these systems are being pressured to supply expanding Pacific Islands populations with subsistence livelihoods and economic development. But unless efforts to improve integrated management is made a priority, the unsustainable use of coastal resources, plus pollution, degradation and other threats to coastal waters will mean our children will inherit coastal and ocean environments in poor condition.

With limited land mass plus finite natural resources, like freshwater, our islands are approaching a dangerous crossroads. If this situation is not fully addressed, I put it to you, that Pacific waterways will deteriorate to a point where rehabilitation will require time and resources far beyond SPREP members' individual or combined capacities.

A concerted effort needs to be made now at national and regional level, to implement solutions to the real causes of environmental problems destroying our ocean and coastal shores.

Some readers may regard my view as being too pessimistic, and point out that the threats to islands systems in the region are occurring mostly in the rapidly expanding urban areas. This response is partially correct, as there are scores of remote, pristine, coastal areas remaining that the idyllic perception of this part of the world is still frequently based on.

However, population growth now runs at about three percent in many islands countries, resulting in population doubling almost every 20 years. Pressure on our mostly struggling, import dominated economies, coupled with a limited capacity to strengthen environmental governance makes turning the situation around an uphill task, but not insurmountable.

Over the past 30 years at national level, and through regional collaborative efforts, Pacific Islands countries and territories have been formulating responses to match these difficulties. But real progress towards achieving sustainable development and management of ocean resources, and conserving coastal and ocean ecosystems is proving an elusive target. Again at national level, budget limitations and insufficient political support continue to weaken the path to proper environmental governance.

Across the region, twenty-five countries and territories are collaborating on environmental matters through the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific. However, unlike the high level of cooperation on tuna resources that the region has earned some credibility for, regional initiatives lack the same level of support. One positive sign is the increasing number of active non-governmental organisations establishing operations in the Pacific who in many instances are assisting the development of local counterpart organisations. The contribution of NGOs with local capacity building in this field is growing and becoming more important.

The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy presents a vision for a "Healthy Ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of Pacific Islands communities". The five vision key areas are:

• improving our understanding of the ocean;
• sustainably developing and managing the use of ocean resources;
• maintaining the health of the ocean;
• promoting the peaceful use of the ocean; and
• creating partnerships.

I anticipate that the Ocean Forum will provide a venue for our government leaders, the private sector and stakeholders involved to work together, so the Integrated Framework for Action can forecast and synergise most ocean and coastal priorities and issues. The Forum needs to agree to a basis for planning, resource allocation, and a secure investment climate for the sustainable development of marine resources, and act as a guide to future initiatives. This event is a timely opportunity to protect and enhance our ocean and coastal waterways. For the future of our children, their families and communities it, deserves our support. On that note I wish all Islands Business magazine readers a positive, empowering, and enjoyable year.

€ Asterio Takesy is the Director of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme based in Apia, Samoa.