Search the SPREP Catalogue

In accordance with article 26 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the decisions of its Conference of the Parties (COP), particularly decision 11/COP.1, each country Party is required to develop a NAP and communicate, through the UNCCD secretariat, national reports on measures undertaken to implement the UNCCD. The report on regional and sub-regional activities was presented at COP3. The third report from African affected parties was presented at CRIC-3 in early 2005 (decision 11/ COP.1, decision 1/ COP.5 and decision 9/ COP.6).

A new multi-part Government was formed after the May, 2006 elections. The National Strategic Development Plan for the medium term is being drawn up for the period 2006- 2008. This is based on the portfolio approach. Not only the government’s sustainable development policies and strategies but other sectoral policies, objectives and strategies are also encompassed into it. It gives recognition to three key outcomes related to the Convention in the form of addressing Policy advice, Legislation Changes and Secretariat Services, Environmental Degradation and Rehabilitation and Sustainable Land and Water Resources Management.

The Cook Islands energy sector relies 100 % on imported fuels for transport, electricity generation and household use. In the year 2005 the world has experienced a period of price volatility for petroleum that saw petroleum prices increase from US$ 40/bbl in mid March to US$ 70bbl in September. At present wind energy is considered to be the most attractive renewable energy source for grid connected electricity supply in the Cook Islands. For the Rarotonga system, wind energy penetration up to a maximum of 30% seems to be manageable without jeopardizing system stability and security. The significant benefits of such a project include the displacement of diesel power generation and consequent fuel and other operating savings, which are quantifiable, and the diversification of energy sources for power generation in Rarotonga and increased security of supply from a reduced dependence on foreign supplies of fuel.

Samoa, like other Least Developed Countries (LDCs) inherits high vulnerability to natural disasters and to external economic and trade developments for which it has no control. These natural disasters include tropical cyclones, prolonged periods of drought, extreme flooding, pests and sudden outbreak of diseases, storm surges and sea level rise.

Fisheries in the Solomon Islands comprise two distinct sectors: the industrial sector which is predominantly off-shore and depends on the abundant tuna resources found in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and the subsistence-artisanal sector which is based on inshore resources found in the coastal regions. Although the off-shore Fisheries contribute more to the national economy in terms of foreign exchange earning (Gillett and Lightfoot 2002), the subsistence-artisanal sector is by far the most important to the bulk of the population with annual production estimated at SI$60 million (Kile 2000) and US$9,963 million (Gillett and Lightfoot 2002). This sector provides food, income and employment for many inhabitants of coastal communities throughout the country, and will become increasing important as the population of the Solomon Islands increases.

At its sixth meeting the Conference of the Parties, in decision VI/7 A endorsed the draft guidelines for incorporating biodiversity-related issues into environmental impact assessment legislation and/or processes and in strategic environmental assessment. In the same decision, the Executive Secretary was requested to compile and disseminate, through the clearing-house mechanism and other means of communication, current experiences in environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment procedures that incorporate biodiversity-related issues, as well as experiences of Parties in applying the guidelines.

The International Waters Project (IWP) aims to strengthen the management and conservation of marine, coastal and freshwater resources in the Pacific Islands region. It is financed through the International Waters Programme of the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), in conjunction with the governments of the 14 participating independent Pacific Island countries.