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As the world’s small islands grapple with the search for ways to balance economic development and environmental protection, an inter sectoral and interdisciplinary platform for ‘Environment and Development in Coastal Regions and in Small Islands’ (CSI) has been established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to assist in that process.Through three main modalities: pilot projects, university chairs/twinning networks and a global internet-based discussion forum on‘Wise coastal practices for sustainable human development’ (WiCoP forum), the CSI plat-form seeks to develop wise practices, guide-lines and principles which will provide for the prevention and resolution of conflicts over resources and values in small islands and coastal regions. In the long term, it is envisaged that ethical codes of practice, tailored for specific wise practices, will be prepared which will provide a policy framework for equitable resource sharing.

Despite its extraordinary cultural and biological diversity and richness, the Pacific is recognised by the World Heritage Committee as one of the most under-represented regions on the World Heritage List. Moreover, the Pacific region requires special assistance for the more effective implementation of the World Heritage Convention, as it faces special challenges related to its unique geographical, cultural and social characteristics.

Thematic Frameworks for the cultural values of the Pacific / Ian Lilley and Christophe Sand|Pacific Islands World Heritage Tentative Lists / paul Dingwall|Developing the Solomon Islands Tentative List / Salamat Ali Tabbasum|The Cook Islands / Justina Nicholas and Ngatuaine Maui|Natural world heritage in Oceania: challenges and opportunities / Stuart Chape|bikini Atoll: a small remote atool of global significance/ Nicole Baker|Levuka, FijiL the heritage of culture contact in the Pacific / anita Smith, Sipiriano nemani and Anaseini Kalougata|Transnational Values in the development of a World heritage nomination for the Sacred site of Taputapuatea/Te Po of Opoa, French Polynesia / Ariihau Richard Tuheiava, Anith Smith|Yapese stone money: a transboundary serial nomination from Micronesia|Community as the First C: Conservation and development through tourism at Chief Roi Mata's Domain, Vanuatu / Meredith Wilson, Chris Ballard, Richard Matanik and Topie Warry|The ancient royal tombs of lapaha, Tonga : Community and world heritage / Geoffrey Clark, Christian Reepmeyer and Nivaleti Melekiola|Community participatory approach to heritage conservation in Samoa / Elisaia Talouli, Tuiolo Schuster|Samoan women: preservers of their cultural heritage / Luagalau Fo'isagaasina Etuati-Shon|Building Regional Capacity for World Heritage in the Pacific islands: toward a Pacific Heritage Hub / Anita Smith and Meretui Ratunabuabua|Safeguarding Nan Madol, Federated States of Micronesia / Diana Roma|The Kokoda initiativ, Papua New Guinea|UNESCO's World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States and the Global Strategy / Ron van Oers|Niue: a small island state in West Polynesia / Moira Enetama