Transcript Slide 1
The State of Regionalism and the Pacific Plan
The Pacific Context
- Geography
- Population
- Isolation
- Impediments to Growth
- Human Security
What is the Pacific Plan?
A regional statement of priorities and identified
challenges
A Principles Framework proposing regionalism as
a modality to address regional problems of
capacity
The Central Tenet: ‘New’ Regionalism
It is defined in the Pacific Plan as:
Countries working together for their joint and individual benefit.
Regionalism under the Pacific Plan does not imply any limitation
on national sovereignty, nor is it intended to replace national
programmes.
What it means:
More than a ‘multi-country’ response
Cooperation and greater coordination
Integration
Greater alignment of action and / or policy
Governance Arrangements
Governance oversight is undertaken by the Pacific Plan Action Committee
(PPAC) making the implementation a ‘member driven’ process
Its decision making is supported by the region’s technical agencies (CROP)
who, with members recommend ‘priorities’ within the Framework of the
Pacific Plan to Forum Leaders annually
Monitoring and reporting is undertaken by the Forum Secretariat
Reports are provided to Forum Leaders on the progress of implementation
bi-annually with contributions made by members; CROP and importantly
donors and development partners
All reports are made public (via the Forum website)
Implementation
Initiatives are implemented through a number of modalities
(e.g. Regional partnerships) under the Pacific Plan drawing
together various stakeholders including:
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Pacific Island Country and Territory Governments
The Pacific’s Regional Technical Agencies (CROP)
Donors and Development Partners
Post Forum Dialogue Partners
Civil Society (non state actors)
Progress to Date: Key Achievements
Fisheries conservation measures including implementing the Parties to the
Nauru Third Implementing Arrangement and the expanding of the Tuna
Tagging Programme
The Launching of the Regional Seasonal Employers’ scheme (RSE)
Continuing liberalisation in the aviation sector (PIASA)
Establishment of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office
Members meeting ‘white list’ maritime accreditation
Continued implementation of the Digital Strategy seeing deregulation, in
particular, of mobile phone services and improved internet connectivity
through the RICS and the OLPC
Strengthening of Integrity and Accountability institutions (Auditors-General)
Key Achievements Continued
The signing of a bulk procurement of petroleum agreement
Development and implementation of a regional tourism strategy
Establishment of the Pacific Island Private Sector Investment Office
(PIPSO)
Implementation of the Pacific Leadership Programme
Implementation of the Disaster Risk Management network
Continuing implementation of a regional HIV/AIDS and STI strategy
Establishment of the Australia-Pacific Technical College
Lessons Learnt and General Observations
Scope and breadth is wide
Implementation is complicated with it involving 16 countries, various
development partners and non-state actors
Managing expectations is important
Innovative policy decisions are required
Ongoing human and financial support is critical and capacity remains
constrained
Progress has been pleasing particularly when noting the broad and
diverse nature of stakeholders involved in implementation
Greatest progress has been made where incentives are clearly defined
Looking Forward – The Niue Priorities (2009)
As part of its governance responsibilities, PPAC recommends
to Forum Leaders areas for priority implementation under the
Pacific Plan:
For 2009, priorities identified were:
Fisheries
Energy
Trade and economic integration
Climate change
Transport
ICT
Education
Health
Land
Governance