ABSTRACT
The South Pacific has an opportunity to calibrate national environmental management planning within frameworks of enhanced public sector management. The South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) is the intergovernmental body with an explicit mandate for enhancing environmental cooperation throughout the South Pacific. SPREP was focal in developing regional environmental agreements such as the 1986 Convention on the Protection of the Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific. The South Pacific Forum recognises environmental issues as matters of regional importance raising rule enforcement concern that includes waste dumping, driftnet fishing, wildlife smuggling, oil spills and other pollution emergencies. The United Nations Environmental Programme has assisted SPREP in responding to Pacific Island countries (PIC) requests for assistance in environment impact assessment and marine pollution control. Impacts of nuclear weapons testing, and concerns about climate change have encouraged PICs to support international norms of environmental protection and sustainability.
