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Apia Statement: Progress on a Proposal for a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary for consideration by Pacific Island Forum Leaders from the Regional Forum and SPREP Member Regional Workshop for a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary

With the increasing pressure on our fragile island nations, it is becoming clear that assessing the environment impact of development must be part of the development process. This video lists examples of environmental problems in the Pacific Islands that could have been avoided if proper Environmental Impact Assessments had been carried out. The video also looks at projects where Environmental Impact Assessments have helped the developers. We follow a developer through the process of having the EIA done, from the first contact with the Department of the Environment, and right through to the public hearing and granting of a business licence. The video can be used a s teaching tools or as a stand-alone film about Environmental Impact Assessment

Management of hazardous materials, hazardous wastes and contaminated sites has become an increasingly important issue for Pacific Island Countries (PICs). In 1997, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) in conjunction with the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), implemented the Persistent Organic Pollutants in Pacific Island Countries project (POPs in PICs) to address this issue. As part of the POPs in PICs project, a commitment was made to provide training to key personnel in PICs. in basic chemical handling and disposal procedures. As part of this commitment, Golder Associates were engaged by SPREP in October 2000, to design and deliver training workshops in thirteen PICs, with the aim of creating an awareness and understanding in each country on the effective management of hazardous materials, hazardous wastes and contaminated sites.