Developing and implementing a regional vision and approach towards Resilient, Green and Clean Ports in the Pacific islands region.
Theme: Sustainable use of the ocean.
Ports are critical infrastructures and facilities in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) because more than 90% of trade commodities come by sea. The supply chain in PICTs is sensitive to inefficiencies and disruptions that have immediate consequences on the life of people. Building on current initiative in the Pacifc islands region, the Fourth Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers' Meeting adopted a Pacific Ports 2030-2050 vision that will integrate objectives, measures and targets for Resilient, Green and Clean Pacific Ports and require a multi-country multi-partner approach.
Lead organiser
The Pacific Community (SPC), Thierry Nervale, Deputy Director Oceans and Maritime
Other organisers
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Concept note
Ports are critical infrastructures and facilities in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) because more than 90% of trade commodities come by sea. The supply chain in PICTs is sensitive to inefficiencies and disruptions that have immediate consequences on the life of people. Maritime ports play an essential socio-economic role, as a port is a gate to access global trading and is the place where taxes on import and other duties are collected. The development of ports in PICTs is therefore essential to support sustainable economic development and must be resilient and green; as a contribution to country efforts to adapt to climate change impacts.
Since 2016, the Pacific Community has promoted and piloted the Green Pacific Ports initiative through its maritime programme and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre in the Pacific (MTCC-Pacific). MTCC-Pacific forms part of the Global MTCCs Network (GMN), a project implemented by IMO and funded by the European Union.
The Green Pacific Port initiative is a consistent approach to improve operational, energy and environmental management of ports in the Pacific. The pilot activities and technical assistance implemented in Solomon Islands (port of Honiara and Noro), Fiji (Suva port) and Tonga (Nuku'alofa port), has provided significant and promising results that led the Fourth Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers' Meeting to adopt a Pacific Ports 2030-2050 vision that would integrate objectives, measures and targets for:
- Resilient Ports – to adapt port development and strengthen preparedness, response and recovery to climate change and disasters, implement processes to support economic development, and achieve port operational efficiency and compliance to international standards and best practises;
- Green Ports – to contribute to low-carbon development by reducing the carbon footprint of Pacific ports, increasing its energy efficiency and incentivising green shipping; and
- Clean Ports – to reduce the environmental impact of port operations and comply with international standards and best practises for pollution prevention and control.
The side event will discuss existing initiatives and results in the Pacific islands region and latest development and major projects at the global level that would help the Pacific islands region implement this long-term vision and approach.