Nouméa
Convention
The
Convention
for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the
South Pacific Region (Nouméa Convention, or SPREP
Convention) was adopted in 1986 and entered into force in 1990.
It obliges Parties to endeavour to take all appropriate measures
to prevent, reduce and control pollution from any source and
to ensure sound environmental management and development of
natural resources, using the best practicable means at their
disposal, and in accordance with their capabilities. The South
Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) serves as the
Secretariat for the Convention. The Noumé/SPREP Convention
has two protocols:
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Apia
Convention
The
Convention
on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific (Apia
Convention) was adopted in 1976 and entered into force in 1990.
It obliges States in general terms to create protected areas
to safeguard representative samples of ecosystems, and places
of scenic, geological, aesthetic, historical, cultural or scientific
importance. The Convention also prohibits the taking or killing
of fauna (including eggs and shells ) unless the taking is controlled
by the competent authorities of the State concerned or unless
in pursuance of 'duly authorised' scientific investigations.
There is a further obligation on States to use their best endeavours
to protect indigenous species from unwise exploitation and other
threats that may lead to their extinction. SPREP
serves as the Secretariat for the Apia Convention. |
Waigani
Convention
The
Waigani
Convention (Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum
Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to
Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous
Wastes within the South Pacific Region) was adopted in 1995
and entered into force in 2001. The main effect of this Convention
is to ban the import of all hazardous and radioactive wastes
into South Pacific Forum Island Countries. It also enables Australia
to receive hazardous wastes exported from South Pacific Forum
Island countries which are not Parties to the Basel Convention.
There are 24 countries within the coverage area of the Waigani
Convention. It has been ratified by Australia, Cook Islands,
Federated States of Micronesia, Kirribati, Papua New Guinea,
Samoa, Solomon Island and Tuvalu.
See
also Waigani
Convention (full text) here.
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SPREP
• Action Plan • Strategic Action Programme
SPREP:
South Pacific
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
is a regional organisation established by the governments and
administrations of the Pacific region to look after its environment.
It has grown from a small programme attached to the South Pacific
Commission (SPC) in the 1980s into the Pacific region’s
major intergovernmental organisation charged with protecting
and managing the environment and natural resources. SPREP's
mandate is to promote cooperation in the Pacific islands region
and to provide assistance in order to protect and improve the
environment and to ensure sustainable development for present
and future generations. SPREP's members total 25, consisting
of 21 Pacific island countries and territories, and four developed
countries with direct interests in the region: Australia, France,
New Zealand and the United States of America. SPREP serves as
the Secretariat for the Apia Convention, the Nouméa Convention,
and
the Waigani Convention
All
SREP activities are guided by the Action Plan for Managing
the Environment of the South Pacific Region to the year 2001-2004.
It is he regional agenda for managing the environment of the
Pacific Islands region for four-year periods. From this document,
the Secretariat will develop its corporate plan and annual
work programmes in support of national, regional and global
initiatives.
Pacifc Ocean Pollution Prevention Programme, PACPOL,
is the marine pollution component of the SPREP Action Plan
and focuses particularly on pollution from shipping. The objective
of PACPOL is to maintain, protect and enhance the quality
of the coastal and marine environment in the Pacific Islands
region by minimizing ship sourced marine pollution. See PACPOL
Full report
Strategic
Action Programme: The five-year Strategic
Action Programme for the the International Waters of the Pacific
Small Island Developing States, which commenced in 2000,
is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and funded by GEF, and executed by the South Pacific
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). The oceanic component
of the SAP, executed by SPC and FFA, will support the work
of participating countries in developing management and conservation
arrangements for their oceanic fisheries resources. The Integrated
coastal watershed component of the SAP will focus actions
on freshwater supplies, including groundwater, marine protected
areas, sustainable coastal fisheries, integrated coastal management
planning, including tourism development and activities to
promote waste reduction in local communities.
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UNEP
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Working
closely with the Division of Regional Co-operation and Representation
in UNEP's Nairobi-based headquarters, the UNEP
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) looks
to adopt global environmental policy to regional priorities
and needs. It acts as a catalyst, co-ordinator, facilitater
and mobilizer of resources. It puts particular emphasis on building
partnerships with regional and sub-regional intergovernmental
fora, other UN agencies, national governments, NGOs, the private
sector, academic and research institutions, and civil society,
and the media. |
UNEP
Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific
n
Asia and the Pacific Region, UNEP's Division of Early Warning
and Assessment (DEWA) is implemented through the facility of
UNEP Regional
Resource Centre for Asia and Pacific (RRC.AP) situated within
the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand.
UNEP RRC.AP was initially established in 1989 as a GRID facility,
which was later expanded, to encompass DEWA activities. There
are three components in the programme: (i) Capacity Building
and Servicing, (ii) Data Management, and (iii) Assessment and
Reporting. Assessment reports and Early Warning Systems are
being developed through these three components. At present,
RRC.AP is focusing on four early warning issues based on the
recommendation of the Advisory Committee: GLOF, Water, Land
Cover and Air. Activities have been carried out under the direct
supervision of the DEWA, in close coordination with UNEP's Regional
Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP). |
UN
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
The
UN Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) organizes
seminars and workshops on various issues relating to water resources,
including: Water resources assessment; Integrated water resources
development and management; Protection of water resources, water
quality and aquatic ecosystems; River basin development and
management; Promotion of infrastructure development and investment
for drinking water supply and sanitation; Water pricing and
promotion of private investment in the water sector; Water demand
management, water saving and economic use of water; and Mitigation
of water-related natural disasters, particularly flood loss
reduction. |
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Agreements