GIWA - Global International Waters Assessment

Major intergovernmental agreements and actors

Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region
The Nouméa Convention, adopted in 1986, in force 1990, 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 Convention has two protocols:

Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the South Pacific Region by Dumping, adopted in 1986, in force in 1990
Protocol Concerning Co-operation in Combating Pollution Emergencies in the South Pacific Region, adopted in 1986, in force in 1990.

Convention on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific
The Apia Convention, adopted in 1976, in force in 1990, contains no specific reference to migratory species. 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.

South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty
The objective of the Rarotonga Convention, adopted in 1985, in force in 1986, is to establish a nuclear-free zone in the region and to keep the region free of environmental pollution by radioactive wastes.

Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous Wastes and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific
The objective of the Waigani Convention, adopted in 1995, not yet in force, is to prohibit the import of hazardous wastes and radioactive wastes.

South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, SPREP
SPREP is a regional organisation established by the governments and administrations of the Pacific region to look after its environment. According to its Mission Statement, the organisation is "to promote co-operation in the South Pacific region and to provide assistance in order to protect and improve its environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations". SPREP's members total 26, consisting of all 22 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. All activities are guided by the Action Plan for Managing the Environment of the South Pacific Region to the year 2000. SPREP also serves as the Secretariat for the Apia Convention and the Nouméa Convention, and will serve as the Secretariat for the Waigani Convention when it enters into force. Some of SPREP's current projects with input from the international community include:

The South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme (SPBCP); a project for the preparation of a regional strategy for international waters; the Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme (PICCAP) and CC:TRAIN (assist Pacific island countries meet their obligations under Article 4 and 12 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change). All of these projects are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Waste Management Education and Awareness by the European Union
Climate Change and Environmental Education and Training programmes through AusAID
Atmospheric and Radiation Measurements in the Tropical Western Pacific with the US Department of Energy
Meteorological services in conjunction with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
The Programme of Capacity Building for Sustainable Development in the South Pacific: Building on NEMS (Capacity 21 for short), part of UNDP's focus on capacity building and
The environmental clearing house functions of SPREP operate with funding from New Zealand.

Convention for the Prohibition of Fishing with Long Driftnets in the South Pacific
According to the Convention, which was adopted in 1989 and came into force in 1991, each Contracting Party undertakes to prohibit its nationals and vessels documented under its laws from engaging in driftnet fishing activities within the Convention Area.See also the 1987 South Pacific Fisheries Treaty.

Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
The Convention, which was adopted in 1949 and came into force in 1950, deals with yellowfin and skipjack tuna (and other species taken by tuna fishing boats) in the East Pacific Ocean. The Convention provides for investigation into population, biology and ecology of yellowfin and skipjack tuna and species used as bait ; and into effects of natural and human impacts on those species. It also provides for analysis of information regarding population trends; studies of fishing methods and methods of maintaining and increasing populations; control over taking ; joint action to ensure maximum sustained catch ; compilation of catch statistics; publication of reports and scientific, statistical and other data. The principal duties of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission are to study the biology of the tunas and related species of the eastern Pacific ocean, with a view to determining the effects that fishing and natural factors have on their abundance, and to recommend appropriate conservation measures so that the stocks of fish can be maintained at levels which will afford maximum sustainable catches. In 1976 the Commissions duties were broadened to include work on the problems arising from the tuna-dolphin relationship in the eastern Pacific ocean. It was decided that the Commission should strive to maintain a high level of tuna production and also to maintain porpoise stocks at or above levels that ensure their survival in perpetuity with every reasonable effort being made to avoid needless or careless killing of porpoise.

Eastern Pacific Ocean Tuna Fishing Agreement
The Agreement of 1984 applies to certain highly migratory species of tuna and tuna related fish in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Provides for the establishment of a Council entrusted with the task of implementing the agreement. Provides for the issuance of international licences authorizing holders to fish for the species covered by the agreement in the Agreement Area including the EEZ of states which are parties thereto (coastal states of the eastern Pacific Ocean or members of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission). The 12 mile territorial sea is, however, outside the Agreement Area. Empowevers the Council to make recommendations to parties concerning tuna resources but not until all states that fish for tuna in the area have acceded to the agreement.

Secretariat of the Pacific Community
SPC, formerly the South Pacific Commission, is the oldest regional organisation in the Pacific, with 26 member countries and territories. It is a technical advice, assistance, training and research agency serving the 22 Island countries and territories of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. SPC enables all of the region's Island countries and territories to express their needs and identify their own development priorities. Its mission is to provide technical advice, assistance, training and applied research to its member countries and territories. The SPC integrated work programme covers, inter alia, technical services in marine resources (Coastal fisheries; Oceanic fisheries).

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
The Forum, formerly the South Pacific Forum, represents Heads of Government of all the independent and self-governing Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand. Since 1971 it has provided member nations with the opportunity to express their joint political views and to cooperate in areas of political and economic concern. Its administrative arm, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, is based in Fiji. It undertakes programmes and activities under guidelines decided by the Forum leaders. The Secretariat's current programmes are aimed at promoting regional cooperation among member states through trade, investment, economic development, and political and international affairs.

UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP
Within the Water Resources Programme under its Environment and Natural Resources Development Division, the UN 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.

UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, ROAP
Working closely with the Division of Regional Co-operation and Representation in UNEP's Nairobi-based headquarters, the 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. See also here.

Small Island Developing States Network
The SIDSnet was initiated as a follow up to the Barbados Programme of Action from 1994. It was recognised that all islands share common issues and SIDSnet was initiated with UNDP Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). At present, 41 small island developing States and territories are included in the monitoring of the progress in the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action. These states and territories often work together through the AOSIS, which also includes some small low-lying coastal States. The General Assembly convened a Special Session on SIDS in 1999.

UNEP Regional Seas Programme
The Regional Seas Programme was initiated in 1974 as a global programme implemented through regional components. The Regional Seas Programme is UNEP's main framework in the field of the coastal and marine environment. It includes 14 regions and three partner seas, involves more than 140 coastal states, and focuses on sustainable development of coastal and marine areas. Each regional action plan is formulated according to the needs and priorities of the region as perceived by the Governments concerned. Regional conventions are in place for several areas. See a map of all regional seas, and go to more information on the Black Sea, Wider Caribbean, Mediterranean, East Asian Seas, South Asian Seas, Eastern Africa, Kuwait Region, North West Pacific, Red Sea And Gulf of Aden, South East Pacific, North East Pacific, South Pacific, Upper South West Atlantic, and West and Central Africa. The UNEP Regional Seas web site also contains information on What's at stake, Major threats, and Actions.