|
|
Theme
1: Improve governance of coasts and the
ocean
The Regional Ocean
Policy stems from “a regional effort to achieve responsible ocean
governance.” Governance is an overarching theme that is an essential
part of the PIROF-ISA. The objective of the initiatives relating to
governance is to engage both stakeholders and leaders and to establish,
strengthen, and implement governance mechanisms that contribute to the
implementation of the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy.
|
|
Initiatives:
1.1 Establish
high-level leadership on ocean issues with a commitment to
effective management of ocean resources. Encourage, through existing
organisational relationships, the development of increased national
commitment to effective management of ocean resources.
1.4 Develop National Ocean
Policies and Action Plans.
|
Initiative
1.1
|
Actions
to implement Initiative 1.1
|
|
Establish high-level leadership
on ocean issues with a commitment to effective management of ocean
resources.
The
Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy reflects a commitment to good
ocean governance by the leaders of the Pacific Island countries. For ocean and
coastal issues to gain the attention and support of officials, policy
makers and politicians, it is vital that advocates be developed at all
levels.
|
1.1.1 Develop
a proposal, including funding, to establish a regional Ombudsman whose
office would generally investigate ocean-related developments affecting
more that one nation, or of transboundary scope, reporting to Forum
countries on the conformity of that development with PIROP principles.
1.1.2 Promote
high-level leadership on ocean issues and commitment to effective
management of ocean resources.
1.1.3 Incorporate
ocean issues into national and regional agendas.
1.1.4 Actively
promote the PIROP and PIROF-ISA to national governments via regional
organisations, and maintain a focal point within regional organisations
to coordinate PIROP implementation.
1.1.5 Establish
professional development programmes for leaders, senior decision and
policy makers on cross-sectoral and governance issues.
|
|
Initiative 1.2
|
Actions
to implement Initiative 1.2
|
|
Review, strengthen and/or
establish policy, legal and regulatory mechanisms in accordance
with national and regional needs and capacities.
Many
existing governance instruments and associated mechanisms are
inadequate or are not implemented, and in some cases may not support
the integrated approach to governance that is required to realise the
objectives of PIROP. It is important to put in place appropriate
national legislation and policies that will result in an integrated
approach to ocean management.
|
1.2.1 Assist
PICTs to effectively negotiate, accede to and implement all relevant
international and regional instruments.
1.2.2 Develop
and enact necessary national level policies and/or legislation and
harmonise conflicting legislation and agency regulations.
1.2.3 Effectively participate in relevant
global initiatives (such as the United Nations Informal
Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea, or
UNICPOLOS) to further develop international legal frameworks
for protecting ocean resources.
1.2.4 Explore
mechanisms for strengthening compliance
with relevant multi-lateral agreements.
1.2.5 Develop methods by which traditional
knowledge and marine-related intellectual property belonging
to Pacific Islanders can be protected from unauthorised
exploitation.
1.2.6 Provide technical support to Pacific
Island States to enable them to establish zones of national
sovereignty (e.g. territorial seas) and maritime jurisdiction
(e.g. contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and
continental shelf).
1.2.7 Assist
Pacific island States establish maritime boundaries in areas where
claimed national maritime zones overlap maritime claims of neighbouring
States.
|
|
|
Initiative
1.3
|
Actions to implement Initiative 1.3
|
|
Engage stakeholders, including
local communities, civil society organisations and national
government agencies, in resource management decision-making
and strengthen consultative, coordination and implementation
arrangements.
Effective implementation of PIROP requires engagement with all stakeholders,
as well as more effective coordination between agencies,
organisations and communities involved in ocean and
coastal issues. It also requires recognition of the
importance of the many different uses of the ocean and
coastal environment (including tourism, harvesting of
living and non-living resources, transport, military,
etc.). The active participation of local level stakeholders
is critically important, and efforts should be made
to support and empower communities to assume resource
management and monitoring responsibilities.
|
1.3.1 Develop
mechanisms to identify and engage all stakeholders,
especially local communities and the private sector,
on ocean resource management.
1.3.2 Provide
support and empower communities to take on resource
management and monitoring responsibilities.
1.3.3 Enhance
interagency coordination at the national level and develop
a strategic approach to information sharing and decision-making.
1.3.4 Establish an effective multisectoral
coordination mechanism, based on existing arrangements,
to progress implementation of the PIROF-ISA.
|
|
Initiative 1.4
|
Actions
to implement Initiative 1.4
|
|
National Ocean Policies and Action Plans
Consistently and adequately addressing
ocean and coastal issues in an integrated manner is
a significant challenge. National Ocean Policies and Action Plans allow for national-level
implementation of the PIROF-ISA and provide a mechanism
for the engagement of stakeholders. These also allow
for the integration of sectoral plans and processes,
and promote intra-governmental coordination.
|
1.4.1 Develop
a regional task force to assist PICTs on request in
the development and implementation of National Ocean
Policies and Action Plans that complement the Regional
Ocean Policy and PIROF-ISA.
1.4.2 Develop
mechanisms to assist countries in implementing ocean policies
and plans, including toolkits, guidelines, processes and
case studies.
1.4.3 Promote
country-to-country exchanges.
|
|
|
|
|
