Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all : Overall, economic trends in the Pacific region have been positive, yet inconsistent. The restricted economic bases of Pacific Island countries are highly sensitive to external economic shocks (including commodity price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions and financial stress), natural events (such as cyclones, floods and droughts) and costs of adaptation to climate change; nternal employment factors in the Pacific compound these external factors.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all : The following Pacific priority actions relate to Goal 7: a) reaching universal access to energy; b) increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix; c) energy efficiency measures in the transport, industry, and building sectors; d) institutional, legislative and regulatory reforms in the energy sector; e) collecting, centralizing, analysing and disseminating energy-related data and policy relevant information; Several countries have reported increases in the share of population accessing electricity over the
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all : Water and sanitation coverage in the Pacific is low, and accessibility varies widely across, and between, Pacific countries and territories. The combined coverage levels of basic water and basic sanitation are lower than in any other region in the world, and nearly one-third of Pacific people still rely on surface water sources for drinking (largely due to the high reliance of surface water in rural PNG); Children and their families are most vulnerable to the WASH-related impacts of climate change.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls : The region has made progress in achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, particularly in education and health and to a lesser extent women’s participation in formal employment and national policy making. This is attributed to growing awareness of the need to address gender inequalities; While almost all countries in the Pacific have adopted specific gender policies and strategies, the resources for integrating and implementing these priorities are limited.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all : Access to education has improved, shown through increased attendance levels in early childhood, primary and secondary school in the Pacific region. Goal 4 highlights the need to focus on improving the quality and relevance of education and cognitive learning outcomes, since literacy and numeracy improvements have not made the expected gains for all.
"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages : Some progress has been made against key mortality measures. Maternal mortality ratios have already fallen below the 2030 target in three-quarters of Pacific countries and territories, and one-half have achieved the under-five mortality rate target of fewer than 25 deaths per 100,000; The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, both with respect to the risk of premature mortality and health care costs, is the dominant health issue in the Pacific region.
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture : Stunting, which can occur when a child under five years of age and does not receive adequate nutrition, remains an issue in some of our Pacific countries. One in four children in Vanuatu, one in three children in the Solomon Islands and one in two children in PNG are reported as being stunted. Poorly nourished children are more vulnerable to disease, tend to show lower performance in school, and are less likely to be productive adults.
End poverty in all its forms everywhere : Poverty in the Pacific is focused on hardship and lack of economic opportunity and social exclusion. While food and extreme poverty remains relatively low, an estimated one in four Pacific islanders are likely to be living below their country’s basic-needs poverty line (BNPL). Children are especially vulnerable to poverty and inequality because of their dependency on adults for care and protection, and for food. Deprivation and lost opportunities in childhood can have detrimental effects that may persist throughout a child’s life.
Contains available data on Pacific Sustainable Development Indicators selected by the region and endorsed by Forum Leaders in the Pacific Roadmap for Sustainable Development. Data is collated from a number of sources, including national household collections, civil registry data, education management information systems, health information systems, treasury papers, and published reports from countries and development partners.
Find more Pacific data on PDH.stat : https://stats.pacificdata.org/
Research papers on rural development and poverty in PNG as part of the Asia-Pacific Viewpoint Journal Volume 46.
These reports culminate the findings of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) that was undertaken from September 2012 to the end of August 2013 and the 2006 HIES data