Tonga has made "good and steady progress" towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as reported in Tonga 1st National Status Report: Millennium Development Goals Today and Tomorrow and summarised .
The report on a new regional institutional framework was commissioned by the Pacific Plan Action Committee (PPAC). The aim in doing so was to present the report to Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their October 2006 meeting, after PPAC had considered it in August 2006 in Nadi,Fiji Islands.
The main map shows that higher population densities occur (i) around and inland from major coastal towns, (ii) in the elevated PNG Highlands (H) and the Baliem Valley (B) of Papua, and (iii) along most of the coasts of the mainland and major islands. The distributions of inhabited places and of annual fires reveal that people and their effects are widely dispersed across much of the landscape. However, vast landscapes in the upper catchments of the Mamberamo River (M) in Papua and in parts of the upper Fly River (F) and Sepik River (S) in PNG remain sparsely inhabited.
The freshwater resources of small island states can be classified as either "conventional" or "nonconventional." Conventional resources include rainwater collected from artificial or natural surfaces, groundwater, and surface water. Nonconventional resources include seawater or brackish groundwater desalination, water importation by barge or submarine pipeline, treated wastewater, and substitution (such as the use of coconuts during droughts) (Falkland 1999a).
Kept in vertical file collection|Source: The World's Water 2002-2003. Chapter 5: 113-131
Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the governments of the Asian and Pacific region have, within certain limitations and constraints, drawn up and implemented national strategies, action plans and programmes to attain the objectives of sustainable development. The international, regional and subregional organizations have developed their respective action programmes to assist the governments in their efforts. There were also some common problems and transboundary issues that lent themselves to action at the regional and subregional levels.
This report presents the results of field studies of the National Forest Inventory. Details of the survey methodology and coverage are provided and summaries of results are presented.
We found coral diversity to be relatively high, especially at both tips of the island. Here we estimated the hard coral coverage to be about 30-40% and soft coral coverage about 25%. However, dead Pocillopora and Acropora colonies, already
overgrown by algae, were scattered throughout the reef. On the northwest windward side of the island we encountered vast areas of bare rock with nibble filling the crevasses. Even in deeper zones live hard coral coverage was estimated to be only
Over the past decade since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio, there has been only modest progress in the Asia-Pacific Region towards sustainable development. Since 1992, environmental quality in the Region has deteriorated. In advance of the September, 2002, World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), a number of agencies active in the Asia-Pacific Region, including ADB, ESCAP, UNDP, and UNEP, agreed to co-ordinate a series of subregional and regional preparatory meetings.
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have committed themselves to considering the special needs and concerns of developing countries resulting from the adverse effects of climate change in the area of insurance. The needs of small island states have been are highlighted for attention, due to their unique geographic features and exposure, and thus unique vulnerability.1
Available online
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Physical Description: 49 p.
This paper suggests that this terrestrial and marine biodiversity inheritance constitutes the foundation upon which rests the survival of the relatively benign and peaceful ways of life in the Pacific ("Peaceful") Ocean. It is stressed that this inheritance, including traditional knowledge concerning it, is endangered by modem development and education, and that if it is not maintained or strengthened, the cultures, economies and rich biodiversity inheritances of Pacific societies WILL NOT SURVIVE.
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Call Number: [EL]
The development of a National Energy Policy Framework for Vanuatu is of high priority. Given the high dependence of Vanuatu on imported petroleum fuels and their associated escalating prices, it is imperative for the Government to put in place a national energy policy framework that not only address the adverse impacts of such high prices on the economy and the people but also provides a long term development plan for the energy sector. The ultimate goal is the provision of reliable
and affordable energy services to all people in Vanuatu.
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In a unique move Tokelau requested all regional and international organizations that it is affiliated to either through full membership, associate or by accessing through regional international projects, to visit and consult Tokelau as a "body corporate" or all at once. The intention is to assist a small tiny country in managing all the possible assistance available from these organizations so that the actual assistance itself could be much more effective in their delivery and avoid duplication.
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The Fisheries Department is the sole agency responsible for the control (regulation), development and management of the fisheries resources within Vanuatu. However, consideration of the impacts from developments on the environment is the responsibility of the Environment Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources. There is a possible overlap of responsibilities between the two agencies in certain areas like assessment work and conservation of species.
Available online|Fisheres Dept. version include graphics (2007; 117 mb). Subsequently published without graphics as IWP report
Constitution - The constitution of a country usually mentions the environment in the preamble, but not in the substance of the
constitution. E.g. Soloman Islands took into account the importance of the environment and that the resources belonged to the people. Resources are usually under common law and under the power of the state, so this was a paradigm shift. Unfortunately, the new government will not include this proposal that the environment belongs to the people.
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The Takitumu Conservation Area was created in 1996 on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Its main purpose is to conserve biodiversity for the benefit of present and future gen-
erations. Only local people own the land and its resources. Ecotourism will be the area's main economic activity. A guided nature walk has been organized with landowner agreement and
support.
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Physical Description: 4 Pages
Tuvalu is a nation of low-lying coral atolls and is presently listed by the LIN as one of the least-developed of nations, with GDP per capita estimated at $US 800 in 1995 (CIA. 2000).
Tuvalu is essentially bereft of natural resources, with the exception of those provided by the sea. A major component of
Tuvalu economy is income generated by licensing international fisliing vessels to operate within the nation's EEZ.
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Physical Description: 8 Pages
The guidelines provide advice on watching whales and dolphins in the wild, including observations from the land, water or air as well as activities such as swimming and diving, feeding, touching, and making noise. They are relevant to all Australian
waters (Commonwealth, State and Territory) and cover all people watching whales and dolphins including both commercial operators and the general public.
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Physical Description: 20 p.
Estimates vary but Nauru has probably been occupied for at least 3000 years. Although the people are considered Micronesians. the island was probably discovered by different ethnic groups at different times - there are indications of both Melanesian and Polynesian influences - and their descendents combined to form today's ethnic Nauruans. The language of Nauru is unique and gives few hints of its origins. Traditional Nauru society
is matrilineal and is based on 12 tribal grouping.
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Economic instruments are market-based incentives or disincentives that aim to change behaviour or consumption patterns. Incentives will reward desirable changes whereas charges can be placed on goods or services to attempt to include the environmental and / or economic costs of waste management in the ultimate price the consumer pays at purchase (polluter pays).
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Physical Description: 2 Pages
Because of increasing service demand, government subsidies and foreign aids are not enough for PIF countries to cover its SWM service cost.
Efficient and equitable user fee collection is essential for the
sustainable SWM service delivery.
Many countries piggy-back user fee on electricity bill or water bill.
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Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 Pages