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: - 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