Search the SPREP Catalogue

Small island developing States (SIDS) are highly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise owing partly to their small land masses surrounded by ocean, and their location in regions prone to natural disasters. SIDS are often characterized by having relatively large populations for the area they occupy with high growth rates and densities; poorly developed infrastructure and limited natural, human and economic resources, and their high dependence on marine resources for their livelihood needs. Most of their economies are reliant on a limited resource base and are vulnerable to external forces, such as changing terms of trade, trade liberalization, and migration flows. Adaptive capacity to climate change is generally low.

Green Turtle Cheloma mydas • Small blunt head, serrated jaw, 1pair prefrontal scales • Large, smooth oval carapace - high domed • 4 costal scutes (scales) side by side and not overlapping • Carapace is dark green or grey or green-brown in colour • 1 claw on all flippers • Length: up to 153cm: Weight: up to 205kg • Diet: feed on algae and seagrass • Species Status: Endangered (IUCN)

Tonga's main island and home of 50% of the population, Tongatapn, faced a significant waste disposal crisis. An AusAID- funded project has shown how an integrated approach can maximize the opportunities to improving the entire system. While the project is still only 50% complete, preliminary indications show it to be a model of methodology for these types of major system up-grades.

The Initiation Workshop of the PREGA Project was held on April 18 - 20, 2001 at the ADB Headquarters, Manila Philippines. Eighty (80) participants, representing 10 developing member countries, bilateral agencies, international organizations/other institutions, and ALGAS national/international experts, and ADB staff attended the workshop. The participating countries were Bangladesh, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Indonesia, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Samoa and Viet Nam.

This global environmental treaty strictly regulates the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and provides obligations to its Parties to ensure that such wastes are managed and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The Basel Convention contains specific provisions for the monitoring of implementation and compliance of movements of hazardous waste. Under the Convention, transboundary movements of hazardous wastes or other wastes can take place only upon prior written notification by the State of export to the competent authorities of the States of import and transit (if appropriate). Each shipment of hazardous waste must have approval by the State of import and documentation is to be completed.

Small island developing States (SIDS) are highly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise owing partly to their small land masses surrounded by ocean, and their location in regions prone to natural disasters. SIDS are often characterized by having relatively large populations for the area they occupy with high growth rates and densities; poorly developed infrastructure and limited natural, human and economic resources, and their high dependence on marine resources for their livelihood needs. Most of their economies are reliant on a limited resource base and are vulnerable to external forces, such as changing terms of trade, trade liberalization, and migration flows. Adaptive capacity to climate change is generally low.