Sustainable development to be included: SPREP

Asterio Takesy

In late 2003 an Eminent Persons Group led by Sir Julius Chan, was asked by our government leaders to review the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and ways in which it could operate more effectively.

One result is the current Pacific regional consultations revolving around the Pacific Plan. Although still in the early stages of development, it has attracted plenty of support and skepticism in political and public circles.

Briefly the plan offers to increase the levels of sustainable return to the region; implement through deeper regional cooperation coordinated action at national level to common responsibilities; provide cost-effective services; and build partnerships with our neighbours and beyond.

SPREP's interest is in ensuring that sustainable development is integrated into the plan as an over-arching goal. The widely publicised Millennium Ecosystem Report, backed by 1300 scientists from 95 countries, says nearly two thirds of the planet's resources have already been consumed. In a region with a single figure percentage share of those same resources, we are struggling for any kind of sustainability. Our Pacific tuna stocks-the largest remaining one on earth-is being harvested at an alarming speed. This one real trump card in a scattered deck of regional economic efforts is being played by distant water fishing fleets, who exchange negligible licensing fees for massive financial rewards farther north. Other key resources like logging and mining have suffered similar fates, either by poor management or aided by corrupt local and foreign operators.

If we use a triathlon analogy, the Pacific must now either swim strongly to shore to move on in the contest for resources and sensible trade, or accept that other competitors will just swim right over us without even glancing back to see if we are okay.

Pacific environmentalist Dr Chalapan Kaluwin suggests that development needs to be viewed as "Pacific Islanders exploiting the limited and scarce resources of their region in harmony with environmental considerations."

He asserts that over the past 20 years, Pacific islands governments have not considered the impact of environmental degradation in relation to economic development seriously, and that immediate action must be taken.

A few regional governments have already come out in support of the Pacific Plan, arguing this is the equation for future stability and prosperity. Others have voiced concerns over the issue of sovereignty and the spectre of an uneven share of the benefits accruing to developed countries and the larger small islands states.

In his comments when forwarding the Samoan position to the Asia Development Bank recently, Deputy Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, felt the plan should proffer sustainable development and environmental protection as a key ingredient, and that environmental awareness should be a cornerstone to ensure that success. Naturally, those sentiments fall readily into line with SPREP's Action Plan for 2005-2009.

It focuses on the increasing socio-economic pressure and the natural and human induced hazards that have exacerbated the region's vulnerabilities. The Pacific has limited resources, a high dependence on imports but few income generating markets. Our growing populations face threatened water supplies, while the cost of administration and infrastructure adds up to a limited institutional capacity. The list goes on.

SPREP is aware of the high degree of endemism and biodiversity, despite the region having relatively few species. Degradation of ecological communities and land resources will erode the quality of life and opportunities for communities. There are those with the conviction that if the Pacific Plan is the way forward, then it is fraught with uncertainties and could open the door to further erosion of sovereignty and political manipulation. A lot of frank and open communication to reach a consensus will be needed before this concept is finalised.

As national consultations are completed in preparation for the upcoming October Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Papua New Guinea, every effort to ensure the plan reflects the best environmental interests of the region for the future of our children, is required. To do so, our leaders and our communities must agree on a shared vision. For the plan to succeed, there has to be an unprecedented climate of trust, mutual respect, a bold commitment to lead, and the courage to take on an element of calculated risk. Given the many different national needs, wants and agendas, this will be a difficult task. Having said that I am reminded of Alvin Toffler, the visionary industrial sociologist and author of The Third Wave, who predicted that the successful societies in the new millennium would be those that are prepared to undergo changes that would challenge their ability to "learn, unlearn and relearn" skills and embrace new ways to work. We ignore that message at our peril.