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Buffer zones are an important tool for conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. All along the history of implementation of the World Heritage Convention, the protection of the "surroundings" of inscribed properties was considered an essential component of the conservation strategy, for cultural and natural sites alike.

A glossary on tsunami's and their characteristics, how they occur and their impacts.

There is almost universal acceptance that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are good for development. For example in the area of education, the World Bank points out that “educators and policymakers agree that ICTs are of paramount importance to the future of education” and that “ICT in education initiatives … are likely to successfully contribute to meeting Millennium Development Goals.” These technologies, most particularly those that are Internet-connected and capable of providing online information in real-time, “increase access through distance learning, enable a knowledge network for students, train teachers, broaden the availability of quality education materials, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of educational administration policy.” 1 This position is shared by parents and teachers on the ground, such that the mere availability of ICTs in schools has come to be almost always equated with progress. ICTs in schools engender high hopes and great expectations for expanding personal and national horizons.

The concept of “sustainable development” dates back a long time, but it was at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972) that the international community met for the first time to consider global environment and development needs, to define principles for the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment and to highlight the need to support people in this process. Later, in 1992, at the UN Conference on Environment and Development, 178 heads of state adopted three important documents: a comprehensive plan of action entitled Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of Principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests.

As a Least Developed Country (LDC) and Small Island Developing State (SIDS), climate change is the most important environmental and developmental issue for Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is a low-lying coastal country that shares similar sustainable development challenges, including small population, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, and excessive dependence on international trade and foreign aid. Its growth and development is often further stymied by high transportation and communication costs, disproportionately expensive public administration and infrastructure due to its small size, and little to no opportunity to create economies of scale.

The Policy Goal of the Ministry is "to Act as the Focal Point for all International, Sub-regional Conventions, Treaties and Protocols relating to Environment, Conservation, Global Warming, Climate Change, and others in addressing Environment, Conservation and Meteorology issues, to integrate national issues, in a holistic way so as to adapt to climate change, halt deterioration of ecosystems, restore damaged eco-systems and ensure their survival in the long term".